The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities has released a discussion paper entitled ‘Coastal Trading Reform – Where to from here?’ The paper is available here and submissions are due by 30 October.
This fresh, consultative approach to the challenging task of modifying the Coastal Trading Act is very welcome indeed,”Shipping Australia Limited’s CEO, Rod Nairn said. “The Deputy Prime Minister has clearly set the boundaries, there will be no opening of the coast, no costly subsidisation and no strategic fleet. This allows the work to focus on how to improve the practical workability of the coastal trading act while maintaining appropriate protections for Australian flag vessels.
Shipping Australia has consistently claimed that it is good for Australia to encourage a modal shift of domestic freight movement to coastal shipping. This could be the biggest single factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector as for long haul freight movements shipping is four time more efficient than rail and 20 times more efficient than road in terms of tonnes/km of CO2 emissions.
Shipping is also a lot safer, the shift will literally save lives…maybe yours.