Logistics for Visiting Foreign Forces in Australia

Depth Logistics provides the full suite of logistics support that foreign forces visiting Australia may need, from the moment their deployment planning at origin until it redeploys. We know the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) with allied nations, work closely with the military sections of the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and assign a team member with an Australian Defence Force (ADF) background to each deployment. Our services include:

• Customs clearance under SOFA
• Biosecurity clearance, including DAFF washing and fumigation
• DAFF offshore inspection arrangements
• Road transport and heavy haulage
• Secure hotshot deliveries
• Secure storage in Brisbane and Darwin
• Naval ship husbandry
• Human logistics

An attaché for every deployment

We appoint a member of our team with an ADF background to act as attaché to the commanding or mobility officer of the visiting force. We make sure every operational and documentary requirement is in place before the cargo arrives.

Customs clearance under SOFA

Our customs clearance team works with the military sections of the ABF and DAFF to make your deployment as smooth as possible. We are ITAR and EAR compliant and an approved Intermediate Consignee under section 20 of the Defence Trade Controls Regulation 2013.

Biosecurity compliance for military cargo

When military cargo, including heavy vehicles, is imported, compliance with Australia’s strict biosecurity rules is essential. Our former biosecurity officers can prepare Biosecurity Management Plans and carry out pre-shipment cleanliness inspections at origin, so there should be little work or washing needed on arrival before quarantine releases the cargo.

DAFF offshore inspections and pre-shipment preparation

Depth Logistics helps military and civilian clients prepare their cargo before it leaves its home country, so it gets through DAFF biosecurity clearance as smoothly as possible on arrival in Australia. We can arrange DAFF offshore inspections carried out by DAFF officers, or send our own team of former biosecurity officers to inspect the cargo at origin. A DAFF offshore inspection costs more, but it gives the best result on arrival. We can also deploy our SEA PREP module anywhere in the world to wash and prepare equipment before it ships.

DAFF washing and treatment in Brisbane

Our Brisbane Depth Defence Logistics Centre (2DLC) at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008 has two all-weather DAFF-approved biosecurity washpads and a cargo fumigation pad. It is less than 1 km from the Pinkenba wharves and Damascus Barracks.

DAFF washing and treatment in Darwin

Our Darwin 2DLC at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822 has an all-weather DAFF-approved washpad, a fumigation pad and a military equipment marshalling yard with defence-grade security close to Darwin Port. It is near RAAF Base Darwin and Robertson Barracks, and has a landing craft pocket with a 53 m wide LCT and RoRo ramp.

DAFF washing in Townsville and Cairns

In Townsville we run a road transport depot at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814, less than 12 km from the port and Lavarack Barracks. Our own team carries out DAFF washing of military equipment at the Port of Townsville using our SEA PREP equipment; there is no washpad at the depot. We also wash on the wharf at Cairns and at ADF bases. Fumigation in Townsville is a mobile service.

Security escorts and transport to ADF bases

If the goods need a security escort to an ADF base, a security-cleared member of our team can handle it. Our own road transport fleet carries everything from secure parcels to heavy armoured vehicles.

For urgent or sensitive items, our secure hotshot freight service delivers direct to ADF bases, ports and airports, 24/7, with security-cleared drivers, GPS-tracked secure vehicles you can monitor in real time through a secure tracking link, and chain-of-custody delivery.

Absolute Reliability

Whatever the size of the cargo, the logistical challenge or the remoteness of the location, we are committed to delivering with Absolute Reliability.

Frequently asked questions