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The government of Australia is establishing a strategic fleet of up to 12 Australian-flagged and crewed vessels. A taskforce set up to review the project's feasibility recently unveiled a report to announce that it supports the fleet establishment, which had been proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In its final report, the taskforce strongly stresses that investment be made in vessels and shows a roadmap of how the government will advance a plan to enhance the nation's shipping and cargo sectors. Claiming the coronavirus pandemic made an adverse impact on shipping, it emphasizes the national fleet is necessary to keep the nation from uncertainties from the global shipping industry.
The taskforce recommends the fleet comprise containerships with geared cranes; multipurpose vessels (MPVs) capable of carrying project, container and bulk cargo; Ro/Ro and Ro/Lo vessels; liquid bulk vessels configured to transport fuel and chemical products; and dry-bulk and breakbulk vessels. It will be privately owned and operated on a commercial basis but could be requisitioned by Canberra in times of national crisis, such as natural disasters and conflicts. The fleet will provide much greater certainty for the nation's economic sovereignty and national security, according to the government, which adds that it will bring about a training and workforce environment that encourages and grows on Australia's maritime skills.
