The Maritime Union says supply chain problems will soon
be relieved by the rapid scaling up of New Zealand’s
coastal shipping capability.
Pacifica Shipping has
announced it will introduce a new container ship to the New
Zealand coast to complement its existing vessel, MV Moana
Chief.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National
Secretary Craig Harrison says in the space of a few months,
the coastal shipping industry has seen an unprecedented
turnaround.
“A large part of the credit has to go to
the Government and Minister of Transport Michael Wood who
has pushed a proactive and positive transport policy to get
coastal shipping back in the game after decades of neglect
and poor policy.”
He says the recent announcement of
Government funding support to four operators to introduce
new coastal shipping services, including Pacifica, has been
instrumental in kickstarting the sector.
In addition
to the four operators who received funding support, global
shipper Maersk have announced a new dedicated New Zealand
coastal service, Maersk Coastal Connect, with two New
Zealand crewed container ships starting in July
2022.
Mr Harrison says these new vessels will employ
skilled New Zealand crews including Maritime Union
members.
He says there are multiple benefits for the
transport sector and wider society.
“Just to start
with, the new shipping services will ease port and road
congestion, improve schedule reliability, and reduce
emissions.”
Mr Harrison says the big lesson from the
last two years is New Zealand needed its own shipping
capability that could provide resilience and reliability in
a volatile global situation.
He says the next goal for
the Maritime Union would be working with industry,
Government and training providers to build opportunities for
young New Zealanders wanting a career in the maritime
industry.
