Acquisition of up to nine Container Handling Vehicles for the Australian Border Force and disposal of the existing fleet

Container Examination Facilities (CEFs) are a critical resource for the Australian Border Force (ABF) to protect Australia’s border by enabling officers to physically detect and seize controlled and illegal goods imported through sea cargo. The ability to conduct sea cargo examinations at the CEFs is dependent on the availability of functional and reliable Container Handling Equipment to unload and move containers.

Container Handling Equipment is a critical capability utilised in ABF CEFs to move shipping containers over short distances. The advantage of the CEF having access to container handling equipment is the ability to load and unload cargo requiring inspection without the assistance of cranes or forklifts, as well as having better manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

The ABF’s existing fleet of seven Mobicon 2T Straddle Carriers requires replacement and an additional two units are required for the new CEFs. Therefore, the Department seeks to identify, deliver and commission a fleet of nine (9) Container Handling vehicles suitable for operational use at ABF CEFs across Australia with the 2023-24 Financial Year (FY).

The proposed replacement Container Handling Equipment can and may differ across the various CEFs, as each CEF is unique with site specific conditions and constraints.

The requirement is also for the disposal of the existing seven Mobicon 2T Straddle Carriers.