Containerization in Australia: The formation of the Australia-Japan Line

Abstract

This note discusses the international origins of container shipping operation. During the Vietnam War, the concept of containerization spread. In the 1960s, the Australian route was one of the earliest markets to attract container shipping due to heavy labor costs. There were sharp rivalries between Britain and Japan on that route. However, the huge investments involved made the shipping companies work together in building the initial container vessels and a kind of international pooling system worked. As Australia imposed protectionism, politics were involved and the container shipping business became a complicated matter among the various companies, as well as their foreign allies, particularly when it came to the political preferences of the Australian Government. Eventually either full or partial adaptation to containerization followed, according to the nature of routes and port infrastructure, while Australia had its own containerization.