24 May 2007
Shipping Federation celebrates 100 years with confidence for the future
“Shipping is the transport mode of the future”, said Rod Grout, Shipping Federation President, at a function to
celebrate the Federation’s 100 year anniversary.
Speaking to 70 invited guests, including Annette King, Minister of Transport, and Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of
Wellington, Mr Grout said that ‘rising fuel prices, action on climate change and increased freight volumes, were
combining to ensure a new era for coastal shipping in New Zealand’.
‘Road and rail lack the capacity to meet the doubling in freight volumes New Zealand will see over the next 10 to 15
years. Trucking freight long distances is causing congestion, wasting energy and damaging the environment. Sea freight
is seen by Government and the private sector, as the way to reduce costs, energy use and emissions’.
Reviewing the Federation’s 100 years, Mr Grout said shipping began as ‘the number one’ transport mode, but then
declined. During the 1980s-90s, the decline accelerated, the result of heavy Government subsidising of road and, to a
lesser extent, rail’, he said.
‘Now, the Government realises it needs to invest in coastal shipping ,and promote the maritime sector as an efficient
mode of transport, if it is to achieve its transport, climate change and energy efficiency goals’, Mr Grout said.
Mr Groat said the Shipping Federation is working with the Government to develop a Shipping Strategy, ‘to show the huge
difference a shipping revival will make to New Zealand’s economic prospects and performance’.
‘New Zealand’s future depends heavily on our ability to move freight safely, reliably, efficiently and cleanly. Coastal
shipping can accomplish all this and more, especially if it is allowed to compete alongside road and rail to provide a
cost effective and fully integrated freight network’.
Mr Grout concluded by saying the Shipping Federation, ‘with the support of its members, the maritime industry, and
central and local government, is presiding over a new era of expansion and prosperity for coastal shipping in New
Zealand’.
Ends