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           Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  Jul-Aug 2008        |
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Pasha Bulker findings support ship review23 May 2008By MUA Media release -
Pasha Bulker findings highlight need to review Australian shipping industry The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report into the grounding of the Pasha Bulker off Newcastle last year should add momentum to the drive to rebuild the Australian shipping industry, the Maritime Union of Australia said today. Among the key findings into the grounding, which could have caused an environmental catastrophe, was fact that the vessel was unregulated Flag of Convenience vessel. The ATSB found vessels such as the Panamanian-flagged and Filipino-crewed vessel typically had poor training and management support systems, placing it and other vessels at risk. MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the former Howard Government's active support for unregulated Flag of Convenience shipping had driven down standards around the Australian coast. "The grounding of the Pasha Bulker was a wake-up call to Australia of the dangers of the growth of unregulated Flag of Convenience shipping," Mr Crumlin said. "Over the Howard years, the number of Australian flagged vessels was cut by more than one third with many Australian ships simply re-registered in tax havens like Panama and the Canary Islands. "To its credit, the new Rudd Government has instituted an inquiry into the future of Australian shipping aimed at increasing incentives to invest in and grow Australian shipping. "As an island nation, there are compelling economic, environmental and national security grounds to rebuild Australian shipping - the findings of the ATSB report just adds weight to these arguments. "At a time of massive increases to shipping freight rates, Australia has lost control of shipping outcomes and now is almost totally reliant on foreign interests. "The review needs to urgently address what is required to ensure effective control is re-established for our Island nation". For media comment call Paddy Crumlin on 0418 379660 or Dean Summers (ITF) on 0419 934648 or Kate Walsh (EMC) on 0423 138357
For further information
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