The report from Mergermarket ranked firms in the Asia-Pacific region by infrastructure deal count and deal value for the first six months of this year.

According to the report, Herbert Smith Freehills topped the list for number of infrastructure deals, with 15 over the period.

This was followed by King & Wood Mallesons with 12 deals, Allens with seven deals and Ashurst with four deals.

Herbert Smith Freehills also took out the top spot for highest-value infrastructure deals, responsible for deals worth US$8.21 billion over the six-month period.

Norton Rose Fulbright came in second, with deals worth US$6.73 billion.

This was followed by King & Wood Mallesons, which recorded infrastructure deals worth US$6.67 billion.

Rounding out the top four was Allens, which saw infrastructure deals worth US$5.43 billion in the first six months of 2016.

VIEW ALL

Looking ahead, the report noted that the second half of this year should see larger infrastructure deal volumes and deal values.

“The second half of this year in Australia will involve larger transactions with the AU$9.1 billion Asciano takeover likely to close and the Port of Melbourne and Fremantle sale to launch,” the report said.

“In Melbourne the Metro Rail project, along with Transurban’s Western Distributor project, is also likely to progress throughout the second half of this year.”

In other Asia-Pacific areas, the report cited Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as potential hot spots for infrastructure deal activity.

“The highly anticipated Kuala Lumpur to Singapore high-speed rail is due to launch in the second half of this year with consortia from China, Japan and Korea actively vying for the tender,” the report said.

“Following the election of Duterte in the Philippines PPP activity is due to pick up again.”