The Maritime Union has slammed comments from Transport Minister Stephen Joyce that changes in the port sector would occur naturally over time, claiming it raises the likelihood of future cargo being hubbed through an Australian port.Maritime Union general
The Maritime Union has slammed comments from Transport Minister Stephen Joyce that changes in the port sector would occur naturally over time, claiming it raises the likelihood of future cargo being hubbed through an Australian port.
Maritime Union general secretary Joe Fleetwood said the government’s hands-off approach to the ports industry put New Zealand's overseas trade in jeopardy and it was “not good enough” to leave it to chance.
He cited widespread concern in the industry that future cargo could be hubbed in Australia, with a recent Auckland Regional Holdings report noting the risk of that possibility.
"This decision would be made by global shipping lines, whose interest is their own profit, not New Zealand's long term economic security."
Fonterra’s move toward rationalising its transport was one example where ports had risked major investments in infrastructure to build capacity, only to be left in the lurch by global shipping companies, according to Mr Fleetwood.
"This situation if repeated on a larger scale through hubbing to Australia due to decisions of shipping companies could result in huge disruption to regional economies, millions of dollars of infrastructure being mothballed, and our transport chain in chaos."
But he said the views of the maritime industry appeared to be falling on deaf ears and Mr Joyce's claim that changes in the port sector would occur naturally over time showed “the Government did not grasp the implications of recent developments.”
The Maritime Union is calling for a long term national strategy to ensure any rationalisation of ports is achieved through a planned and non-destructive process.
Mr Fleetwood said ports should be integrated through a "KiwiPort" system and coastal shipping had to receive the same support that road and rail did.
