The department is leading the work across government to implement the Strategic Fleet Taskforce recommendations consistent with the Australian Government's response.
In the 2024–25 Budget, the government committed funding to implement the Strategic Fleet Taskforce recommendations including implementing a Strategic Fleet Pilot Program (the Pilot) with 3 vessels and undertaking legislative reviews of the Shipping Registration Act 1981 and Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012.
The department released a request for tender in September 2024, seeking vessels to participate in the Pilot. Tenders closed on 29 November 2024.
On 29 May 2026, the Hon Catherine King MP announced the signing of the ANL Kokoda, a 23,000-deadweight tonne container ship as the first vessel in the Strategic Fleet Pilot Program. The department continues the work to identify the next 2 vessels to be included in the pilot.
Strategic Fleet Pilot Program Standing Offer Panel
To requisition Strategic Fleet vessels the government has established the Strategic Fleet Pilot Program Standing Offer Panel (Panel) of approved suppliers through a competitive open tender procurement process. The Panel will operate for an initial period of 5 years, with options for extension.
The first vessel appointed to the Strategic Fleet is a large, ocean-going vessel capable of carrying significant volumes of cargo. It is capable of independently loading and unloading cargo regardless of whether there is existing/operational port infrastructure. The vessel will be able to move containerised and non-containerised cargo. Containerised cargo covers most consumer products, industrial materials and manufactured goods. Non containerised cargo refers to goods that are too bulky to fit inside a shipping container and can include some heavy machinery, vehicles and generators.
For more information, contact the Strategic Fleet team at strategicfleet@infrastructure.gov.au.
Review of Coastal Trading and Shipping Registration Acts
The government has also commissioned reviews of the Coastal Trading and Shipping Registration Acts to support an Australian Maritime Strategic Fleet.
Maritime Skills and Training
The Australian Government announced funding of $13.8 million over 4 years, commencing in 2025–26, to the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI), reinforcing its commitment to the Maritime Strategic Fleet and the broader maritime industry.