05 November 2007
Breathing Life Back Into Shipping
New Zealand First transport spokesperson Peter Brown has welcomed the introduction of the Sea Change draft strategy
which proposes to increase the use of maritime transport.
"Having been an ardent campaigner of the need for our trade to be served by energy efficient shipping services, the
proposal to require at least 30 percent of all inter-regional freight to be carried by coastal shipping by the year 2040
is a positive step forward.
“For years now the governments of New Zealand have been blind to the plight of the New Zealand shipping industry which
has been allowed to slowly bleed to death as foreign companies exploit our valuable shipping companies and ports.
“With a new focus on reducing carbon emissions and finding energy efficient methods to transport goods, coastal shipping
was the logical and obvious answer for an island nation like ours.
“We welcome the Government’s proposal to remove barriers to coastal shipping interests accessing Government funds. We
trust this will be new money and won’t come out of the Land Transport Fund.
“Addressing the need for Government agencies and the sector to work together to increase the supply of skilled workers
is also a positive initiative.
“It is about time the Government did something positive for our shipping industry. Let’s hope they really do start to
walk the talk and ensure that they do all they can to breathe some life into an industry that has been torn apart by
neglect,” said Mr Brown.
ENDS