Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, , 6:15:38 to 6:17:02
The department provides an update on the Maritime Strategic Fleet pilot tender, noting that only one suitable vessel was secured out of eleven applications.
Topics: Procurement, Infrastructure
Speakers: Hon Bridget McKenzie, Melissa Cashman, Rachel Parry, Unknown Speaker, Senator Glenn Sterle
two and invite questions. Senator McKenzie.
>> Thank you so much, Chair. Uh in September 24, the department commenced uh the request for tender for the maritime strategic fleet pilot. On the 29th of May uh 2026, the minister announced the NL Cakakota as the first vessel to participate in the strategic fleet. A number of industry sources have suggested the tender is now concluded. Is it correct the tender has concluded?
Uh Paul Stagfist, assistant secretary, surface transport emissions and policy division. Yes, that's correct, Senator.
>> So, how many applications did the department receive?
>> 11.
Um given the government's been unable to secure three vessels to participate in the pilot, has the maritime strategic fleet initiative failed? >> No, Senator, I would um the procurement process, it concluded with one suitable supplier for one vessel. So in essence, the pilot, it didn't deliver the three vessels, but what it did deliver is what
Sorry, pardon me. It secured the first vessel. It exposed really significant um commercial and requisitioning constraints. It generated evidence that's now informing next steps.