A PROPOSED strategic fleet and shipping competition policy are key issues for the next federal government to grapple with, maritime and freight sector figures say.
There are fears, however, that the 2025 has been a missed opportunity for maritime with the campaign largely focused on other areas.
Maritime Industry Australia (MIAL) chief executive Angela Gillham said geopolitical developments highlighted the relevance of the strategic fleet, but implementation had been slow.
“The ALP continues to support the strategic fleet policy, although progress on implementation has been too slow and not reflective of the urgency required,” she said.
“The [Liberal-National Party] Coalition has criticised the lack of obvious progress on strategic fleet implementation but during the election campaign [it] has declined to publicly support the strategic fleet policy or re-commit to any alternative policy action to secure Australian civil maritime capability as they did in 2022.”
Ms Gillham said the lack of action was galling given the backdrop of surging costs and volatility in global shipping in response to escalating trade wars and “the most complex and volatile geopolitical circumstances since World War II”.
“MIAL’s view is that both major parties understand the nation’s security and national resilience is closely tied to its sovereign shipping capability and we are concerned that this election campaign has been a missed opportunity to signal bipartisan support for strong policy action to support our sovereign shipping industry,” she said.
“Regardless of who wins on Saturday, MIAL will continue to engage across the political isle to advocate for the Australian maritime industry and the obvious proposition that strong sovereign maritime capability is essential to an island nation.”
In a statement to Daily Cargo News, the Maritime Union was optimistic, noting important shipping policies that were “on the cusp of delivery” should an ALP government be returned.
The MUA said the timing of the election placed the government in caretaker mode just as the tender process was reaching its final stages.
“MUA members and their families are rightfully eager to know when the strategic fleet of Australian flagged and crewed vessels will become a reality,” a union spokesperson said.
“The planning and development of the strategic fleet project has taken a long time, but it is important to get it right to ensure it delivers long term, sustainable employment for Australian seafarers.”
Freight and Trade Alliance general manager trade policy and operations, Sal Milici, said there were “several critical issues that should be front and centre in any election campaign”, highlighting Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act that regulates international shipping.
Part X aims to ensure exporters (and to a lesser extent, importers) have continued access to outwards liner cargo shipping services with internationally competitive freight rates.
Mr Milici said Part X needed to change and that it “no longer reflects the realities of contemporary global shipping or the interests of Australian importers and exporters”.
Mr Milici also raised the long-standing issue of terminal access changes and empty container notification fees, calling for a mandatory code or regulatory intervention.
“There are also long-term structural challenges, including an ageing customs broker workforce and outdated IT platforms used by key regulators,” he said.
“These issues demand coordinated investment and policy leadership to ensure Australia remains globally competitive.”
Shipping Australia chief executive Melwyn Noronha said while maritime had not been a significant issue during the campaign, the next government needed to prioritise its trade facilitation agenda expediting Australia’s maritime single window (a single, centralised digital platform to collect and exchange information with ships at ports) “which is well overdue”.
“Governments can make a difference by way of integrating systems and drastically reducing duplication at the ship-to-shore interface. Inefficiencies across the waterfront are costing the Australian economy billions,” Captain Noronha said.
“The next government needs to focus on genuine industrial relations reform coupled with international benchmarking of productivity on the waterfront.”
Ports Australia chief executive Mike Gallacher indicated the ports community wanted engagement in areas including decarbonisation and safety.
“Ports Australia holds strong relationships with Government leaders and agencies, including most recently with our Parliamentary Friends of Ports group,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Regardless of the election outcome, we expect this relationship to continue, whether with new faces or pre-existing.”
Mr Gallacher said Ports Australia had looked to “engage closely” with government on lithium battery safety in shipping, decarbonisation, cybersecurity and seafarer welfare.
“These issues not only impact Australian ports, but our Pacific partners, too,” he said.
“It’s a golden opportunity for Government to collaborate internationally and back our ports across Oceania.”
Container Transport Alliance Australia director Neil Chambers highlighted the Coalition’s fuel rebate policy should it form government, arguing the Coalition needed to protect fuel tax credits.
Industry groups including the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) say fuel tax credits must remain during any temporary reduction in fuel excise, “to ensure the benefits of lower excise are felt by all road users”.
Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson said the next government should promote “intermodal harmonisation”.
“My message to the next federal government is clear. We must work together to create an environment that supports the efficient and safe movement of goods,” Mr Anderson said.
“By embracing intermodal connectivity, investing in infrastructure, and prioritising productivity improvements, we can shape a prosperous future for the transport and logistics industry.”