Australia is the world’s 5th largest user of shipping services. The mining and minerals industry generated $455 billion in 2024—just over a quarter of gross domestic product. The industry relies on sea freight to do so. Western Australia’s Port Hedland is Australia’s busiest port and the world’s largest bulk export facility. In 2022 it handled over 450 million tonnes of iron ore.
Photo by Chris Pagan
Australia also possesses rich maritime resources. Fisheries and aquaculture earn about $3.6 billion annually and employ approximately 17,000 people. The oil and gas industry often extracts fuels from platforms at sea and depends on fleets of tankers to move fuels to market. Oil and gas exports generate around $450 billion per year.
Although Australia has crude oil resources, it exports nearly all of it and only two oil refineries still operate in Australia. Around 90 per cent of liquid fuels (petrol, diesel and aviation gasoline) is imported. If not replenished, normal usage would exhaust Australian liquid fuel stockholdings in less than 30 days. The International Energy Agency stockholding obligation is 90 days. All imported fuel is brought in by sea; the protection of fuel supply is vital.
Australia’s dependence on imports has increased with globalisation, free trade, and the concentration of manufacturing and engineering in emerging economies. In the late 1930s, Australia imported about 0.8 tonnes of freight per head of population, virtually all of it by sea. In 2020-21, imports by sea were 3.8 tonnes per head—over four times greater. Those imports include: motor vehicles, electrical goods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, machinery, furniture, and clothing. Australia's reliance seaborne trade means, historian and strategist T. B. Millar has argued, that an adversary need not invade in order to defeat Australia. Stopping trade would stop Australia.
The RAN acknowledges its responsibility to protect Australia’s trade and maritime resources. Alongside agencies such as the Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police, the RAN maintains patrol craft to protect fisheries, monitors the security of oil and gas platforms, and works with the global shipping industry to ensure the nation’s prosperity continues.
The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, and preserve the health of marine ecosystems. As the Blue Economy gains importance for national security and prosperity, navies are increasingly recognised as essential enablers of its success.
Further information on the Blue Economy:
The Blue Economy in Australia | This volume analyses the evolving Blue Economy concept, its economic and technological dimensions, and the role of navies in its development, with a focus on Australian and global contexts.
The Blue Economy: Proceedings of the RAN Sea Power Conference 2017 | This document highlights the growing importance of the Blue Economy and showcases how navies globally enable its success by securing maritime domains, supporting environmental stewardship, and contributing through naval shipbuilding and cooperation.
Fiji’s ‘Blue Economy’ and the importance of maritime security | This document highlights the oceans’ vital role for Pacific Island nations like Fiji, supporting livelihoods and economy, while emphasizing threats from pollution, climate change, and the importance of adopting the Blue Economy for sustainable development.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets the legal framework for maritime conduct, defining territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), and high seas freedom. UNCLOS is crucial in shaping operational boundaries and ensuring freedom of navigation.
Protecting the National Interest: Naval Constabulary Operations in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone | This paper examines how the RAN enforces Australia’s sovereign rights within its extensive EEZs, shaped by the UNCLOS and vital for protecting national economic resources.
Asian Energy Security: Regional Cooperation in the Malacca Strait | This volume presents 2007 conference proceedings on Asian energy security, covering energy demand, shipping route security, naval roles, and how international cooperation can ensure safe, uninterrupted trade through vital sea lines of communication.