About Sea Swift

Sea Swift is Northern Australia’s largest shipping company, and has provided essential services and project freight in the region since 1987. Sea Swift operates throughout Northern Australia’s remote coastal and island communities, with an extensive distribution network across Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory. Sea Swift continues to grow as a company and forge new markets, including the recently-launched international shipping service between Singapore and Western Australia. Sea Swift is ideally positioned to support, assist and deliver to customers, from individuals to large national and international corporations.
Board of Directors and Executive
Steve Boulton
Chairman
Trent Carmichael
Director
Grace Tang
Director
David Jackson
Director
Kim Gillis
Director
Lino Bruno
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mark Hope
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Executive
Peter Domenighini
General Manager of Operations - Queensland
Scott Ezzy
General Manager of Operations - Northern Territory
Kim Head
General Manager - Engineering and Technical Services
Companies we’ve helped
We are experts in a number of key services
General Cargo
Regular service freight
Project & charter
Tug & barge capability
Mothershipping
Trawler fleet
Dampier Direct
International shipping service
Defence
Supporting Government agencies and naval forces to strengthen our northern borders
Fuel
Fuel capabilities
Engineering
Engineering capabilities
Adventure Cruise
In QLD
History
1970s
1980-1987
1987
1990
1994
1998
2002
2008
2013
2016
2019
2020

1970s

  • Sid Faithfull was a seafood processor trading as Point Seafoods, Karumba.
  • Identified an opportunity to mothership to the trawler fleet to allow them to stay at sea catching, while their fuel/food/water/packaging was brought to them and their catch transported to market and waste taken away.
  • Acquired the Carlock and re-fitted it to become Sea Swift’s inaugural mothership vessel

Image: Sea Swift vessels, including original vessels Carlock (tug) and Captain Tom (barge), alongside Point Seafoods in Karumba.

1980-1987

  • Point Seafoods – based in Karumba – serviced the fishing fleet in the Gulf of Carpentaria with original vessels Carlock (tug) and Captain Tom (dumb barge)
  • Emu Bay introduced as the next vessel – a self-propelled hopper barge converted to a fishery support vessel.
  • In 1984, the tug Willara and bulk fuel barge 1203 came into service.

Image: Sea Swift Temperature Control Facility in 1987 (Freezer/Chiller)

1987

  • Contract secured for delivery of fuel to Cape York and Torres Strait communities
  • Original service by landing barge Karunda
  • Company name change from Faithfull Management to Sea Swift Pty Ltd
  • Operational base moved from Karumba to Cairns
  • Emu Bay commences a fishery support service from Cairns to the Torres Strait
  • Molunat (heavy lift ship) purchased and converted to sail Cairns to Thursday Island/Seisia delivering coastal cargo
  • Sea Swift awarded State stores contract to deliver essential goods to Lockhart River, Thursday Island and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) communities

1990

  • Trinity Bay (ex-Leichhardt) commenced operation from Cairns to Thursday Island and Seisia on alternate weeks with the Molunat

1994

  • Molunat converted to a livestock vessel operating internationally
  • Trinity Bay commences weekly schedule to take up Molunat schedule

1998

  • Faseco 103, a laid up sand dredge purchased in South Korea, sailed to Philippines for conversion to cargo vessel to replace original Trinity Bay

2002

  • Sea Swift acquires Brambles North Queensland shipping assets
  • This transaction adds an additional seven vessels to the fleet

2008

  • Sea Swift acquires Endeavour shipping assets

2013

  • Sea Swift purchases Tiwi Barge Service and commences coastal cargo operations to Northern Territory remote communities, and Gove and Groote Eylandt, which adds an additional two vessels.

2016

  • Sea Swift acquires Toll Marine North Queensland and Northern Territory coastal shipping assets, which adds an additional four vessels

2019

  • QIC enters into a contract to acquire 100 per cent of the Sea Swift business to continue the growth of the company

2020

  • Sea Swift launches its first scheduled international shipping service between Dampier in Western Australia and Singapore, appointing GAC as principal carrier agent.
Vision
We make a difference by connecting regions and delivering opportunity
The Sea Swift team is passionate about growing Northern Australia and improving the standard of living in the region. We connect remote communities and foster economic development by providing a safe, reliable service, with pride. We live and work in a unique part of the world and our aim is to promote this and make living in Northern Australia easier by connecting our diverse cultures.
Values

These values are at the core of our Sea Swift community

Our Belief

We believe in delivering a safe service and can meet any challenge to deliver on our commitment of getting the job done, on time, the first time and to the highest standard.

Our Focus

We are customer focused and seek out feedback so we can learn and improve every day.

Our Success

We will achieve success through building the capability of our people and great teamwork.

Our Accountability

We are accountable to our customers and to each other for the services we provide.

Standards

You will notice Sea Swift standards because they are always on display

At Sea Swift you will see

• Sea Swift following our processes and procedures to deliver a consistent service and your freight being treated with absolute care and respect.

• Teamwork in action with individuals doing their job safely and ensuring their teammates are acting safely too.

• Equipment that is well maintained, safe and fit for purpose – our teams will continue to use equipment, regardless of age, provided it gets the job done efficiently and safely.

• Sea Swift is visible in the community through our regular support, sponsorship and assistance.

At Sea Swift you will notice

• Sea Swift employees are happy because they enjoy what they do – serving our customers, the people who live in the remote communities of Northern Australia.

• Our employees work hard to safely deliver your freight on time and without damage.

At Sea Swift you will hear

• Sea Swift employees asking their team mates how they are going or for help if required and congratulating their teammates for jobs well done.

• Sea Swift asking for your feedback so we can continue to learn and improve the service.

• All about what’s going on in the business operationally and strategically and about the performance of your team.

• Positive comments about Sea Swift by independent third parties including regulators, government agencies, community leaders and industry peers.

Safety

Safety is our top priority at Sea Swift.

We operate in some of the most remote and pristine areas of northern Australia, and the safety of our employees, our clients, the people around us, and the natural environment we operate in is of paramount importance to us.

Sea Swift’s business operations comply with the latest national and international shipping regulations and standards, with Health, Safety, Environment and Quality being key drivers for the organisation.

Our objective is to be the leader in marine industry safety.

Sea Swift has achieved the following accreditation:

OHSAS 18001

Occupational Health &
Safety Standard

Through a dedicated HSEQ team and a readily accessible platform across marine and shoreside employees, contractors and visitors.

AS/NZS 4801

Occupational Health &
Safety Management Systems

Through best practice design, implementation and training both internal and external with continued statistical reporting to achieve excellence.

ISO 14001

Environmental
Management

Vital when operating in and through the Great Barrier Reef, the Torres Strait, the Arafura Sea, remote Northern Territory, and across northern Australia. Our key environmental challenges are energy conservation, waste management, and hydrocarbon management.

ISO 9001

Quality Management
System

Through a range of customer and operational interfaces to ensure our service aligns with all required legislation and best practice. Some key aspects for accreditation include food safety control, on-time performance, stowage averages, and customer planning and delivery.

HACCP

Food Safety Management

Implementation of best practices and systems, by applying the Codex Alimentarius HACCP Principles. Continuous training of staff to hold high regard for food safety and quality preservation, and a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction. This renowned risk management technique has built a robust quality assurance environment into our business.

 

KEY DOCUMENTS

Policies

IMS POL 001 OHSP (PDF, 201KB)

IMS POL 002 Environmental Policy (PDF, 48KB)

IMS POL 003 Quality Policy (PDF, 45KB)

IMS POL 004 Customer Service Policy (PDF, 58KB)

IMS POL 005 Whistleblower Policy (PDF, 301KB)

IMS POL 008 Privacy Policy (PDF, 159KB)

Other

ACCC Undertakings – 1 July 2020 (PDF, 219KB)

Section 87B Undertaking – ACCC(PDF, 1.43MB)

Gove Wharf & Depot Access Agreement(PDF, 710KB)

QGIF Undertaking Signed(PDF, 4.18MB)