hmat

HMAT is a historical acronym most commonly associated with a prefix used for Australian troop transports during the early to mid-20th century. The letters stand for His Majesty's Australian Transport or, when the sovereign was a queen, Her Majesty's Australian Transport. The designation indicated that the vessel was operated by the Australian government specifically to carry troops, equipment, and other war materiel, rather than being a purely civilian liner or a Royal Navy warship.

Ships bearing the HMAT prefix were part of Australia’s contribution to Allied war efforts during the World Wars. They were often under contract with the government or requisitioned for wartime service and could include passenger liners, freighters, and survey or auxiliary vessels. Each ship carried an identifying HMAT prefix with an accompanying A-number in official records and manifests. These transports sailed to multiple theatres, including the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific, and supported operations by moving soldiers, horses, and supplies.

After the conflicts ended, many HMAT vessels were returned to civilian civilian service, sold to other operators, renamed, or scrapped. The use of the HMAT prefix declined in the postwar period, and today it is encountered primarily in historical documents, naval registries, and archival materials.

Aside from this historical designation, HMAT or hmat may function as an acronym in other contexts, depending on the field or organization. However, the HMAT designation described above remains the most widely recognized reference in historical and archival records related to Australian military transport.