Coastal shipping waits for chance to shine

The Ministry of Transport has been investigating the issue in light of the New Zealand Shipping Federation’s 47- page “Roadways to Waterways” Maritime Transport Strategy document presented in September last year.

Understood to have given the strategy a favourable initial hearing, Minister of Transport Annette King subsequently commissioned local ship-ping and logistics sector expert Peter Carr to prepare a background report.

Having received Mr Carr’s report in April, the ministry expects to present a draft strategy to Ms King at the end of June, which will subsequently be released for public consultation.

“The ministry document will seek to identify options for making greater use of coastal shipping and achieving national transport outcomes,” says Ms King.

“As part of this exercise, the ministry is working with Maritime New Zealand and Land Transport New Zealand as well as other Government agencies.

“It will also be consulting with some key stakeholders across the sector. These include local shipping, overseas shipping, maritime unions, shipping users and port companies.”

Key recommendations of the Shipping Federation’s Roadways to Waterways proposal include:

● funding be allocated for the development of sea freight transport and associated ports infrastructure;

● creation of a Government maritime promotions unit to promote and develop coastal shipping options with cargo owners and regional councils;

● development of a national ports policy;

● expansion of existing funding criteria for Government support of rail and sea freight options to specifically include coastal shipping and related ports infrastructure;

● review of the additional supports being made available to coastal shipping in other jurisdictions;

● introduction of a maritime training programme;

● and maritime sector representation on Government funding and policy making boards.