Model of MV Flinders Bay
MH 1611a, donated by Overseas Containers Ltd.
The international container trade began in Australia in 1969, when the purpose-built containership, MV Encounter Bay – sister ship of MV Flinders Bay, seen here – berthed at Fremantle.
In preparation for containerisation, between 1965 and 1969, Fremantle Port Authority extended the inner harbour and created a specialised container terminal. The terminal featured a new locally-built container crane, that was said to be the largest of its kind in the world. It’s design was later replicated in other Australian capital ports.