Day: 24 January 2010

Lack of plan for maritime industry a serious problem

Mar­itime Union of New Zealand Gen­er­al Sec­re­tary Joe Fleet­wood says recent state­ments from Min­is­ter of Trans­port Stephen Joyce and retir­ing Paci­fi­ca Ship­ping Chief Exec­u­tive Rod Grout on New Zealand ports and ship­ping show the need for imme­di­ate action in the mar­itime indus­try.

Mr Fleet­wood says it is incor­rect for the Nation­al Gov­ern­ment to say they want mar­ket forces decide the future of the mar­itime indus­try, when mas­sive tax­pay­er invest­ment was direct­ed at roads and rail.

He says that a “hands off” approach to the mar­itime indus­try means major mar­ket play­ers would dom­i­nate the mar­ket and make deci­sions that could harm New Zealand’s trans­port infra­struc­ture.