PLANS are afoot to launch a new bulk shipping service in the Oceania region, with Sydney-based Australis Shipping seeking to build upon demand in the mining and energy sectors.
Managing director Stephen Westfield said the business was responding to a market gap, with Australian cargo interests currently reliant upon foreign companies to move their freight.
“I kept seeing strong, repeatable Australian cargo, particularly in mining, resources and regional trades, but no coordinated effort to align those flows with an Australian-controlled company that can spearhead the rebirth of Australian-flagged vessels,” he said.
“Australis was created to sit in that gap and to work with industry and government on commercially grounded deployment options.”
The concept grew from observations of commercial shipping and project logistics for mining clients across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Asia Pacific in Mr Westfield’s former executive roles with Hapag-Lloyd, Swire and Danish operator Bluewater.
“An Australian-led effort that is tied to real, long-term industrial cargo offers both commercial logic and strategic value, which is why we believe it’s viable,” he said.
The business model is designed to be capital‑light in its early stages.
Initial services are expected to be reliant upon time‑chartered tonnage and partnerships with existing owners, funded via a mix of working capital, long‑term contracts of affreightment with cargo owners and, where appropriate, export‑credit and bank and investor debt.
As the platform matures and cargo visibility strengthens, Australis foresees “selective vessel ownership” via a combination of equity partners and traditional ship finance, backed by contracted demand.
Mr Westfield said the initial concept was for a small, focused core of vessels matched with specific cargo corridors, likely two to four ships in the first phase, increasing with customer demand.
“We’re already in discussions with several owners active in the Asia–Pacific trades,” he said. “Over time, we want to move from just another charterer to a more structured fleet concept with stronger Australian control and visibility.”
Australis is to have an operational focus on trades linking Australia, Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia and, increasingly, Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
“Our sweet spot is bulk, industrial consumables and project cargo tied to mining and energy. That includes lime, cement and aggregate, mining consumables, project cargoes for new developments,” Mr Westfield said.
“The unifying theme is long‑term, repeatable industrial cargo that supports a stable shipping program rather than ad‑hoc spot movements.”
Australis managing director Stephen Westfield. Image: Australis
Vessel sizes are expected to be tailored to the corridors and ports.
Multipurpose and handymax bulkers are said to be more appropriate given draft, port and parcel‑size constraints, with some scope for supramax/ultramax ships in certain lanes.
Australis is already quoting, invoicing and designing services for specific mining and infrastructure projects, and using those opportunities to shape the first tranche of vessels and routes.
“The goal is to lock in the initial cargo base and service profile over the next 12–24 months, then build from there as contracts and partnerships are formalised,” Mr Westfield said.
He said the intent was to create genuine pathways for Australian seafarers, both at sea and in shore‑based roles.
“The exact mix will depend on flagging, regulatory settings and cost structure, but our objective is to maximise Australian participation wherever it is commercially and operationally workable, and to link that with training and cadetship opportunities,” he said.
“As a proud AMC graduate, it would be great to see young Australian seafarers find a home on cargo vessels.”