About us

Our
Story

Strait Link has a proud history of being a vital link between Tasmania and the world, providing daily sea freight services between Port Burnie in Tasmania and the Port of Melbourne in Victoria.

We contribute to the Australian economy by being a key part of the supply chain between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, connecting local Australian customers to markets across the world.

Tasmania is a resourceful, innovative and abundant exporter inspired by its home-grown ingenuity. Strait Link shares the same mindset providing an agile, reliable and dedicated service to help our customers thrive and grow their businesses.

Tasmanian goods and services exports growth reached over $5 billion in 2020-2021 financial year, with an ambition to reach $15 billion by 2050. A small island with an abundance of natural resources, it’s major industries include agriculture, forestry, mining, fishing and aquaculture.

Our cargo ships Tasmanian Achiever II and Victorian Reliance II operate across the Bass Strait. When introduced in 2019, the Tasmanian Achiever II was the largest cargo ship registered in Australia.

We employ over 500 people at our Burnie and Melbourne port sites, making us a leading local employer in the northwest region of Tasmania. Our ships completed 621 voyages (221 nautical miles representing 1 voyage), representing over 136,965 nautical miles in 2021.

The Bass Strait cargo shipping trade began in the 1950’s under the Australian Government owned Australian National Lines (ANL). Brambles entered the market in 1983, and was subsequently sold to Toll Holdings in 2002. In 2015, the business was acquired by Japan Post as part of their global expansion plan, and during Japan Post’s ownership the original Tasmanian Achiever and Victorian Reliance were replaced with larger and more modern ships in 2017.

In 2021, Allegro Funds acquired the Global Express division from Toll. Toll Shipping returned to Australian ownership as an independent and stand-alone shipping business and was renamed Strait Link Shipping to mark a new and exciting chapter in the long and proud history of the business.

Our dedication to being the supplier of choice for Bass Strait port to port services is demonstrated in our investment in people, local port infrastructure, and vessel upgrades over the years.

We are committed to finding solutions and supporting the local communities where we operate to contribute to a sustainable future for future generations.

Tasmania's Vital Link

As Tasmania’s vital link, we provide local freight forwarding services with our own fleet and a rail service that arrives into Port Burnie ready to load onto our two purpose built for the Bass Strait vessels.

Strait Link x Burnie 10

Burnie 10 Media Launch Day

Strait Link is proud to be the major sponsor of the iconic Burnie 10 Run.

The Burnie10 is Australia’s premier 10km road race. This year 2023 will celebrate its 39th running promoting physical activity and community involvement, and will be held on Sunday the 29th October 2023, Wilson Street, Burnie, in Tasmania.

The event is for everyone – people of all ages and fitness levels enter. The local government has been a force behind the Burnie 10. It was introduced by the Burnie Council to promote economic development and generate tourism for the town. While elite runners provide the glamour, the event purpose is to involve the community.

Tasmania’s media gets behind the event every year with the University of Tasmania, The Advocate and DuffTV being major sponsors. Strait Link is the event sponsor for 2023.

Our Vision & Purpose

Our vision is to be a vital link in growing local Australian business success.

We are a vital link from and to Tasmania connecting our customers to Australian and world markets across the Bass Strait, as a reliable and trusted supply chain partner.