"Tasman" was one of the 21 KPM ships that sought refuge in Australia on the fall of Java that the Commanding General, United States Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA) was instructed to purchase or charter for an SWPA local fleet. On 26 March 1942 the Chief Quartermaster, USAFIA arranged interim charters pending final negotiations with the Netherlands Government in London. Final negotiations between the War Shipping Administration (WSA) and the Dutch government resulted in their being placed under U.S. Army control through a complex charter arrangement in which the British Ministry War Transport (BMWT) chartered the KPM vessels and with WSA allocated them to SWPA with the stipulation they be under total control of the U.S. Army. Though some sources note the arrangement was through the Allied Consultative Shipping Council (ACSC), Masterson details the command's objection and rejection of ships intended for critical military operations being arranged by that means. General MacArthur reported on 28 April that his fleet of 28 vessels included the 21 KPM ships. "Tasman" was given the local fleet number X-16.