The Palaszczuk Government is launching a $21 million grants program to stimulate investment in maritime businesses, skills and jobs.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the grants will create even more maritime jobs and improve the state's coastal shipping industry and maritime skills base.
"The maritime sector is the unsung hero of Queensland's economy, enabling us to earn valuable income from exports, and to import so many of the products that we depend on in our daily lives," Mr Bailey said.
"As an island nation we are more reliant on shipping and the people it employs than most of us realise.
"What I want to see is more local workers and local crews doing the heavy lifting at Queensland ports, and a real a revitalisation of the Queensland coastal shipping industry.
"The pandemic has shown that our long-term success will depend on our ability to build local capacity in our state's economy.
"The government's 'Backing Queensland Maritime Jobs' grants program is about strengthening our local industry, through government, workers and industry working together to target new coastal shipping services, maritime employment and training opportunities.
"The $21 million of funding is designed to be a significant step to help industry create start-up projects, or build on existing businesses, to regenerate our maritime expertise.
"That is an economically and strategically important objective.
"I'd also like to acknowledge the efforts of Jason Miners from the Maritime Union of Australia in advocating for this, and providing ideas for solutions to improve the workforce on our waterways."
Maritime Union of Australia Queensland Secretary Jason Miners said it was a big win for the future of Queensland's maritime industry.
"This is fantastic news for the coastal shipping industry in Queensland and provides us with a great chance to strengthen our local workforce," Mr Miners said.
"We've been working hard on behalf of our members to boost training and skills for our local workforce and deliver Australian crews for Queensland coastal shipping.
"This is something we've advocated strongly for, and I'd like to acknowledge the Palaszczuk Government for delivering this program."
Mr Bailey said funding was offered in three streams, with businesses invited to apply for grants under a coastal shipping program, a maritime employment program and a maritime training program.
"Supporting maritime jobs to strengthen our local supply chain capacity means Queensland is more resilient and less likely to be affected if international supply chains experience a major disruption, like we saw through the pandemic," he said.
"The coastal shipping program provides one-off funding to establish or strengthen operations along the Queensland coast and deliver the government's commitment to create viable and sustainable maritime jobs.
"The maritime employment program and maritime training grants are offered in multiple intakes over two years.
"They include port cadetships and are about providing both experienced and new mariners with jobs and training opportunities.
"I strongly encourage maritime businesses to get involved and apply for grants."
Mr Bailey said he looked forward to getting a wide range of exciting applications.
"We've kept Queensland's ports in public hands to grow domestic and international trade to support the state's economy," he said.
"Now we're focusing on increasing domestic shipping along 7000kms of Queensland coastline to create new regional jobs that can support our economic recovery.
"Queenslanders has a proud and remarkable maritime history and we know we are at our strongest when we work together."
Applications for grants can be made by going to Maritime Safety Queensland's website for guidelines and application forms at https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/
