28 August 2006
Revitalised NZ Shipping industry will solve Port Company Worries
Government and regional council support for a revitalised coastal shipping industry is the only answer to concern at
plans by some international shipping lines to reduce calls to NZ ports, Paul Nicholas, Manager of the New Zealand
Shipping Federation said today.
“Next month the Shipping Federation will present a draft maritime strategy to government calling for government
promotion and investment in domestic maritime transport, and for the development of a national ports policy”, Mr
Nicholas said.
“Rather than continue scrapping over the crumbs from the international shippers table, the Federation believes their
withdrawal offers government, councils and the maritime industry a unique opportunity to increase domestic coastal
traffic across ports, and onto coastal feeder ships”.
Mr Nicholas said the draft maritime strategy, to be discussed with government and industry sectors, will be the catalyst
for port companies to use assets built for foreign shipping, to instead develop a coastal shipping industry.
“A vibrant domestic shipping industry will be a far more reliable and sustainable employer and revenue earner for our
ports”, Mr Nicholas said.
“The draft maritime strategy calls for the establishment of a Maritime Promotions Unit within Land Transport New
Zealand, and for government financial support to develop coastal shipping services, in the same way that government
funding is allocated to the development of road and rail services”.
“Coastal shipping can remove more long haul freight off roads. Sea is also a far safer and more environmentally friendly
mode of freight transport than road. Coastal shipping also has the potential to ensure the future prospects of New
Zealand’s various ports” Mr Nicholas concluded.
ENDS