Government Launches Strategic Fleet to Boost Maritime Resilience
"An incredible chapter in Australia's maritime history."
— Transport Minister Catherine King
The Australian government has signed a contract for the container ship ANL Kokoda, the first of three vessels in a pilot strategic fleet program. The 175-metre-long, 27-metre-wide ship, built in 2011, has a maximum capacity of 23,000 metric tonnes and a crew of 36. Previously sailing under the Maltese flag, it will now be Australian-flagged and crewed.
Addressing a Critical Decline
The strategic fleet aims to reverse the dramatic decline in Australian-flagged ships, which have dwindled to just nine from over 100 fifty years ago, according to Maritime Industry Australia Limited.
How the Fleet Will Work
The government hopes to create a fleet of 12 privately owned and commercially operated ships that can be requisitioned in times of crisis, including:
- Natural disasters
- Supply chain disruptions
A 2023 report warned that the decline in commercial vessels could make it difficult for Australia to access maritime assets in emergencies.
Mixed Reactions
"This announcement could not have come soon enough."
— Angela Gillham, CEO, Maritime Industry Australia Limited
Support for the move was not universal. The Productivity Commission argued against the strategic fleet in 2023, citing cheaper alternatives. Jim Wilson of Shipping Australia called the policy "bad" and predicted its failure due to economics.
Unions supported the move for improved pay and conditions. Paddy Crumlin, International Transport Workers Federation President, stated the decision "puts shipping back, front and centre, in the national supply chain and the national psyche."
A National Vulnerability
Maritime executive Peter Court wrote that Australia lacks an Australian-controlled merchant shipping fleet, relying on foreign-flagged vessels for essential imports and exports during crises. This contract marks a step toward addressing that vulnerability.
Transport Minister Catherine King will formally announce the contract on Friday.