SeaRoad
SeaRoad is a family-owned Australian shipping and integrated transport logistics company operating the only direct Roll-on/Roll-off freight service between Devonport, Tasmania and Melbourne, serving Tasmanian importers, exporters and freight customers across five terminal locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersPort Melbourne, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SeaRoad does
SeaRoad Holdings Pty Ltd is a privately-held, family-owned Australian shipping and integrated transport logistics company operating out of five strategic terminal locations across Tasmania (East Devonport, Launceston, Bell Bay, Derwent Park/Hobart) and Victoria (Port Melbourne). The company's core business is operating the only direct Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) overnight freight shipping service between Devonport, Tasmania and Melbourne, Victoria, running six days per week and carrying containers, trailers, refrigerated units, cars, mobile equipment, livestock and heavy cargo. The company traces its operating lineage to William Holyman and Sons' Bass Strait service of the late 1890s; the modern SeaRoad entity was formed in 2007 when Chas Kelly and the Morris family acquired the assets, and the group today employs approximately 400 people.
The asset base is anchored by purpose-built RoRo vessels: MV Searoad Mersey II (182 metres, delivered 2016, the first coastal ship in Australia to use LNG fuel and power, ~$110M investment) and the chartered MV Liekut (210 metres, in service from April 2021), both supported by a $15M East Devonport terminal development and a separate $600,000 Melbourne port works package completed in 2021. A €100M+ newbuild, Searoad I (210 metres, 4,227 lane metres, LNG-powered, capacity for 100-tonne heavy cargo), was christened at FSG Shipyard in Germany on 7 November 2025 and is scheduled to enter service in September 2026. Onshore infrastructure includes a 15,800 m² Launceston warehouse opened in July 2023, an AQIS-approved wash bay in Devonport, and a multi-port container depot network. Customer-facing systems comprise a self-serve shipping portal (b2b.searoad.online), a logistics booking portal (tmsbooking.searoad.online), and a FreightSafe Warranty program providing up to A$1,500 LCL consignment coverage for A$15 per consignment.
SeaRoad generates revenue across three core service lines—wharf-to-wharf Shipping, integrated door-to-door Transport (depot-to-depot, depot-to-door, door-to-depot, door-to-door, including pickup, pack/unpack and delivery), and Containers (20' and 40' containers—bulkers, side doors, high cube, refrigerated, cargo bases—plus sideloader services and AQIS wash bay)—with quote-based pricing dependent on weight, dimensions, lane, and surcharges. In 2026 the company implemented fuel surcharges of up to 50% in response to Middle East-driven price volatility. Customer segments span Tasmanian importers/exporters in agriculture, manufacturing and aquaculture, plus contracted enterprise customers including Bass Island Line (a ~20 TEU/week trans-shipping agreement won in March 2022). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by dedicated local account management teams, multi-channel marketing (website, Facebook, LinkedIn, newsletter, newsroom), and self-serve portals for both booking and track-and-trace.
SeaRoad firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SeaRoad
- Legal name
- SeaRoad Holdings Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://searoadholdings.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SeaRoad is a family-owned Australian shipping and integrated transport logistics company operating the only direct Roll-on/Roll-off freight service between Devonport, Tasmania and Melbourne, serving Tasmanian importers, exporters and freight customers across five terminal locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SeaRoad industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Freight & Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation (483113), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finished Vehicle Ocean RoRo & Deep-Sea Vehicle Carriers (TLADAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- High & Heavy / Project Ro-Ro Handling (Construction, Mining & Oversize Equipment) (TLAHACAI), Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)
Keywords
Where SeaRoad is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices5 records
Markets served
SeaRoad business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Shipping Services: Wharf to wharf transportation of containers, trailers, refrigerated units, cars and other mobile equipment on RoRo vessels operating between Devonport and Melbourne six days per week.
- Transport Services: Integrated logistics services including freight pickup, packing, container transport, unpacking and delivery. Network pickup/last mile capability within Tasmania and Metropolitan Melbourne.
- Container Logistics: Container hire and de-hire services providing range of 20' and 40' containers including Bulkers, Side Doors, High Cube, Refrigerated and Cargo Bases. Sideloader services and approved AQIS wash bay in Devonport.
- FreightSafe Warranty: Warranty program providing up to $1,500 coverage on LCL consignments for $15.00 per consignment plus GST. Generates additional revenue per consignment processed.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Fuel surcharge of up to 50% implemented due to Middle East War-driven price volatility |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FreightSafe Warranty providing up to $1,500 coverage |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | General freight and shipping rates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
SeaRoad product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SeaRoad operates dedicated Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) freight shipping services six days per week between Devonport, Tasmania and Melbourne, transporting containers, trailers, refrigerated units, cars and mobile equipment. It complements this with integrated road transport services (depot-to-depot, door-to-door) across Tasmania and Metropolitan Melbourne, plus container hire and de-hire (20' and 40' units including Bulkers, Side Doors, High Cube, Refrigerated and Cargo Bases). The company also offers FreightSafe Warranty cargo protection and Dangerous Goods handling capabilities, all delivered through five strategic locations.
Product overview
SeaRoad operates as a unified integrated shipping and transport logistics platform for Tasmania-mainland freight movement. The portfolio consists of three core service lines: Shipping (wharf-to-wharf RoRo vessel transport), Transport (integrated road freight), and Containers (container logistics and hire). Key vessels include MV Searoad Mersey II (LNG-powered, operating since 2016), MV Liekut (charter vessel, 2021), and Searoad I (newbuild launching 2026). Supporting services include FreightSafe Warranty (cargo protection add-on) and Dangerous Goods handling capabilities. All services operate through strategic locations across Tasmania and Melbourne.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shipping Wharf-to-wharf Bass Strait transportation of containers, trailers, refrigerated units, cars and other mobile equipment using dedicated RoRo vessels, operating overnight Monday to Saturday between Melbourne (Webb Dock) and Devonport. Designed for businesses needing reliable, high-capacity freight connectivity between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.
- Transport Integrated road freight services providing depot-to-depot, depot-to-door, door-to-depot and door-to-door options, including pickup, packing, container transport, unpacking and delivery across Tasmania and Metropolitan Melbourne. Targeted at businesses needing end-to-end freight handling from a single provider.
- Containers Container logistics services including 20' and 40' container hire and de-hire (Bulkers, Side Doors, High Cube, Refrigerated and Cargo Bases), sideloader handling services and use of an AQIS-approved wash bay in Devonport. Designed for customers needing container equipment, handling and biosecurity/quarantine-compliant cleaning.
- FreightSafe Warranty Warranty program for LCL (less-than-container-load) consignments providing financial protection of up to $1,500 per consignment for a fee of $15.00 plus GST, activated at commencement of the transport contract (some exclusions apply). Available to SeaRoad shipping customers seeking additional peace of mind on LCL freight.
- Dangerous Goods Handling Specialised capability to transport almost all classes of dangerous goods safely and efficiently across SeaRoad's shipping and road transport network, adhering to all transport regulations to protect shore personnel, crew and the general public. Targeted at industrial, chemical and regulated freight customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% capacity increase with MV Liekut introduction
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SeaRoad
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SeaRoad technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SeaRoad partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.
- InfocommstrategicSeaRoad partnered with Australian software company Infocomm to transform freight operations. The collaboration resulted in efficiency gains, better customer satisfaction, and growth prospects for SeaRoad's logistics operations in Tasmania.
- Bass Island Line / TasPortscoreSeaRoad won tender to transport Bass Island Line's King Island freight between Devonport and Melbourne, replacing BIL's Victorian port call. Provides seamless and efficient Bass Strait transport solution for approximately 20 TEUs per week.
- United Equipment Pty Ltdminor100% Tasmanian-owned company that supplied four Konecrane forklifts valued at approximately $2.5 million to SeaRoad for terminal operations.
- Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG)coreFSG is the German shipbuilding yard constructing SeaRoad's new RoRo vessels. Built Searoad Mersey II (2016), MV Liekut, and SeaRoad I newbuild. FSG is the world leader in RoRo and RoPax ship construction with extensive experience in LNG-powered vessels.
- TasPortscoreTasPorts operates the ports where SeaRoad vessels call. SeaRoad invested $15 million in East Devonport terminal development including fendering, berth strengthening, and mooring bollards works. TasPorts' East Devonport Port Master Plan provides space for SeaRoad's new vessel.
- SiemcoreSiem is the ship owner of MV Liekut. Completed modifications on MV Liekut in Poland prior to delivery including strengthening decks, installing barriers and drainage, and modifying the stern ramp for Devonport operations.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves14 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SeaRoad competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Qube Holdings: ASX-listed Australian logistics and port operator combining road, rail and intermodal services; operates in similar Tasmanian/Australian freight flows and at ports where SeaRoad's vessels call, making it the closest Australian public-market comparable.
- NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha): Japanese global shipping group with one of the world's largest PCTC/RoRo fleets; comparable to SeaRoad at the vessel-technology and operational level (multi-vessel RoRo, LNG transition), though at vastly greater scale.
- Hyundai Glovis: Korean global logistics and RoRo vehicle carrier with large PCTC fleet; relevant as a global benchmark for the kind of integrated finished-vehicle and RoRo logistics franchise SeaRoad operates at regional scale.
- Toll Group: Largest Australian integrated logistics provider covering road, sea and air freight; competes with SeaRoad's road transport arm and Tasmanian freight contract business, though without a dedicated RoRo shipping service.
- Linx Cargo Care: Australian end-to-end logistics provider with portside, rail and road operations; comparable to SeaRoad's port-to-door logistics offering and integrated container/freight handling capability.
Direct peers
- TT-Line Company: TT-Line operates the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service on the same Devonport–Melbourne route, competing head-to-head for Tasmanian freight and vehicle customers; both are Australian coastal RoRo/cargo operators on Bass Strait.
- Hoegh Autoliners: Global RoRo/Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operator focused on finished vehicles and breakbulk; directly comparable to SeaRoad's mix of vehicles, containers and rolling equipment on dedicated RoRo tonnage.
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean: World's largest RoRo vehicle carrier; closest direct global comparator to SeaRoad on deep-sea/coastal RoRo operations moving cars, heavy equipment and rolling cargo — the same product mix SeaRoad handles.
Regional players
- Interislander (KiwiRail): KiwiRail's Cook Strait ferry service combining passenger and freight RoRo operations across a similar short-sea strait corridor; business model and vessel profile closely mirror SeaRoad's dual passenger/freight adjacent competition.
- Bluebridge (Strait Shipping): Operates RoRo freight ferries across New Zealand's Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton; a strong functional analogue as a regional coastal RoRo freight operator, differing only by geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SeaRoad social profiles
Digital presenceSeaRoad financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SeaRoad leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
SeaRoad funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SeaRoad M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SeaRoad
What does SeaRoad do?
SeaRoad operates dedicated Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) freight shipping services six days per week between Devonport, Tasmania and Melbourne, transporting containers, trailers, refrigerated units, cars and mobile equipment. It complements this with integrated road transport services (depot-to-depot, door-to-door) across Tasmania and Metropolitan Melbourne, plus container hire and de-hire (20' and 40' units including Bulkers, Side Doors, High Cube, Refrigerated and Cargo Bases). The company also offers FreightSafe Warranty cargo protection and Dangerous Goods handling capabilities, all delivered through five strategic locations.
Is SeaRoad a public or private company?
SeaRoad is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was SeaRoad founded?
SeaRoad was founded in 1890. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SeaRoad based?
SeaRoad is headquartered in Port Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does SeaRoad make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Shipping Services are the primary driver. The others are transport Services, container Logistics and freightSafe Warranty.
Who are SeaRoad's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Qube Holdings, NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), Hyundai Glovis, Toll Group and Linx Cargo Care. Direct peers are TT-Line Company, Hoegh Autoliners and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean. Regional players are Interislander (KiwiRail) and Bluebridge (Strait Shipping).
Does SeaRoad have an API?
No public API is recorded for SeaRoad.
What industry is SeaRoad in?
SeaRoad's product category is Maritime Freight & Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAJAC, Finished Vehicle Ocean RoRo & Deep-Sea Vehicle Carriers, with a secondary code of TLAHACAI, High & Heavy / Project Ro-Ro Handling (Construction, Mining & Oversize Equipment). Its NAICS code is 483113 and its SIC code is 4400.