Published: 5 Dec 2024
MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME OFFICERS UNION
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE & POWER ENGINEERS
MEDIA RELEASE
4 DECEMBER 2024
Three Australian maritime unions welcome tender progress towards Australian strategic shipping fleet
Australian maritime workers and their unions (MUA, AMOU and AIMPE) are excited about progress towards the establishment of the Australian strategic fleet, with the government’s open tender process moving to the next stage of analysis and assessment.
The tender process invited offers from the Australian commercial maritime sector to participate in the pilot programme of the Strategic Fleet project, delivering the first three of at least 12 strategic fleet vessels that were committed to by the Albanese Labor Government in 2022.
“Today’s milestone represents the culmination of engagement and consultation that began with the work of the Strategic Fleet Taskforce and marks the commencement of commercial negotiations towards delivering on the Strategic Fleet promise that is so important for the revitalisation and restoration of our industry and to the economic and social security of Australians more broadly” said the National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, Paddy Crumlin, who was also a member of the Strategic Fleet Taskforce.
The Strategic Fleet of at least 12 Australian flagged and crewed ships will operate commercially but be available to the government or the community in times of crisis, disaster or conflict. This will bolster Australia’s place in long global supply chains with sovereign domestic shipping capacity that will ensure fuel, food and economic security for all Australians.
The process to date has brought together maritime workers through their unions, government policymakers, commercial industry representatives, shippers and defence force leaders to set out the parameters and objectives of the Strategic Fleet so that it provides a sustainable, scalable and durable framework for the Australian shipping sector to flourish long term.
The sixteen recommendations of the Strategic Fleet taskforce addressed fleet capacity, vessel types, cargo and supply chain demands, legislative reform, as well as skills and training development.
“As well as supporting our existing workforce or bringing people back to the industry, the Strategic Fleet pilot programme is a great opportunity for young people, women, and First Nations workers to get their start in a growing industry, working on the Australian coast in the national interest. However, our maritime skills and training infrastructure needs to meet the challenge of helping new Australian seafarers climb the gangway of these ships for the first time,” Crumlin added.
Executive Officer of the AMOU, Jarrod Moran, represents vessel masters and officers throughout the Australian shipping sector, and is enthusiastic about the prospects for building Australian maritime skills and expertise throughout the industry.
“Australia as a maritime dependent nation will always rely on our trading ports to sustain our standards of living. Our highly skilled harbour masters, marine pilots and tugboat skippers all develop their knowledge and gain their experience through their sea-service. The strategic fleet will provide a strong basis for that vital training ground and allow new starters to progress to the leadership roles our ports demand,” Mr Moran said.
Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers Federal Secretary Martin Byrne said it was critical for Australia to have a domestic coastal trading capacity and not just for emergencies.
"If you don't have people doing it all the time, you'll see your workforce shrink, you'll see the whole industry reduced below critical mass, and that's where we're facing a bit of an existential crisis," he said. "Without a strong and vibrant coastal shipping fleet there's no optimism, no future, no certainty for young people."
"We want to see a regeneration of the Australian maritime workforce," Mr Byrne said.
ENDS
