Lighterage Innovation

Summary and scope

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Land and Integrated Force Division, is part of the Australian Department of Defence and provides science and technology support to Australia's defence and national security priorities. One of Defence's priority capability areas is littoral manoeuvre, with ship-to-shore connectivity, or lighterage, identified as an area requiring innovation and capability development. DSTG is seeking to engage with Industry and Academia to better understand existing and emerging technologies that may contribute to future Defence lighterage capabilities. For the purposes of this RFI, the term lighterage solution is intentionally broad and includes any concept capable of delivering the required wet gap crossing effect. This may include, but is not limited to, vessels, vehicles, bottom stabilised or supported solutions, bridging systems, ramps, floating piers, causeways; or other novel concepts and enabling technologies.