Numerous studies and reports from government bodies and research organizations have analyzed coastal shipping in Australia, highlighting its diminishing market share-now only about 17% of the domestic freight task-despite its potential for lower emissions and reduced infrastructure strain.
[1, 2, 3]
Key findings and sources regarding Australian coastal shipping include:
- Declining Share: Although Australia's total freight task has grown significantly, the portion carried by coastal shipping has plummeted over the last few decades.
- Infrastructure & Cost: Coastal shipping is often less emission-intensive than road or rail. However, it faces challenges competing with road and rail due to factors such as port costs, industrial relations, and the flexibility of land-based transport.
- Vessel Numbers: The number of major Australian-registered ships with licenses to move coastal freight has experienced significant fluctuations, with a general trend toward fewer vessels or reliance on foreign-flagged ships. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
- BITRE Reports: The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) regularly publishes data on sea freight, including vessel activity and license usage.
- Parliamentary Inquiries: Various government committees have conducted inquiries into revitalizing the industry to address infrastructure bottlenecks, environmental impacts, and national security.
- Economic & Environmental Analysis: Studies often explore the "modal shift" potential of shipping to reduce carbon emissions and ease pressure on national highways. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
| Factor [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] |
Observation |
| Market Share |
Approximately 17% (decreasing trend) |
| Main Cargoes |
Fertiliser, petroleum, ores, cement, steel |
| Advantages |
Lower emissions, reduced road congestion |
| Challenges |
High operating costs, competition with road/rail |
For the most specific or recent data, you can refer to the latest
BITRE Australian Sea Freightpublications.
[1]
https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2025/australian-sea-freight-2023-24
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/maritime/publications/factsheets
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Klaus Zillner
Senior Consultant
klauszillner@yahoo.comAustralia
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