JAMES Point Pty Ltd (JPPL) has submitted its claim to the WA Supreme Court against the State Government for protracted delays in approving a private port at Cockburn.
The claim, submitted in late December, could potentially lead to a multi-million dollar payout from the State Government.
JPPL claims the State Government had delayed construction and operation of the port for nearly 13 years.
Reports of conflict between JPPL director and building magnate Len Buckridge and WA Premier Colin Barnett may also have played a role in the port delay.
JPPL chairman Chris Whitaker said the company was hopeful the court process would not delay construction much longer.
"James Point people just want to start getting things up and running," Mr Whitaker said.
"Bearing in mind we can reach agreement with government, we believe we have 12 months of what we are calling pre construction studies.
"The construction will take about 15-18 months."
Mr Whitaker said JPPL was ready to go and was just waiting for the State Government to let them begin.
"JPPL is ready to move now and it has got the money to do it now," he said.
"If we got the okay today we could start tomorrow."
The State Government has until February 17 to file a defence to the claim.
The next directions hearing will be on February 22.
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