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

© Scoop Media