Australian shipping has been in decline
As an island nation, maritime supply chains are vitally important to Australia’s economic security.
More than 98 per cent of our nation's imports and exports are carried by sea.
Despite the critical role of shipping, Australia’s national fleet has suffered an alarming decline in recent decades, with just 12 large trading vessels remaining.
The failure of coastal shipping regulations has resulted in Australian vessels being replaced by ships registered in tax havens, which don’t meet local safety or environmental standards, and are crewed by exploited workers earning as little as $2 per hour.
In an era of heightened threats, where a pandemic, economic crisis, natural disaster, or military conflict can quickly disrupt global supply chains, the importance of a national fleet has never been clearer.
As shipping is a low carbon emission form of transport, its importance is growing as the world moves to address climate change.
The work needed to revitalise Australian shipping is already underway, but we need strong leadership from the Federal Government to ensure appropriate regulations and policy settings are put in place.
Our vision is for Australia to once again be a shipping nation, rather than a nation reliant on foreign vessels to ship its goods.
Not only will our plan make Australia more resilient, but it will also deliver a massive economic boost, creating nearly 5,000 new jobs.
If you want a strong, secure future for our nation, I urge you to join our campaign to reinvigorate Australian shipping.
A bold strategy to save Australian shipping and open up new opportunities
As an island nation, Australia needs a national shipping fleet.
The Maritime Union of Australia has a vision for shipping that will not only boost our national economic interest but deliver employment opportunities for Australian workers.
The creation of a national strategic fleet, consisting of dozens of large commercial trading vessels, would move containers and bulk goods between Australian ports and carry Australian goods to international markets.
A specialist fleet of ships to undertake offshore wind energy production would allow Australia to become an energy exporting powerhouse in a low-carbon emissions world.
By once again making Australia a regional centre of maritime commerce, it would contribute to regional security and the nation’s economic prosperity.
This vision would also create thousands of jobs for Australian seafarers and those in maritime support services.
The MUA is seeking to work with Federal, State, and industry stakeholders to make this vision become a reality.
With political leadership, these sensible reforms will boost the nation's economic and security interests for decades to come.
- Create a national strategic fleet of large commercial vessels to move goods between Australian ports and support new industries.
- Reform the licencing system, closing loopholes that allow foreign vessels to dominate domestic trade.
- Provide incentives for Australian companies to own and operate Australian-flagged vessels through better design of shipping tax incentives.
- Create a level playing field with other forms of transport by bringing support for shipping into line with that provided to rail and road.
- Reform the maritime crew visa system to create employment opportunities for Australian seafarers in the maritime industry.
- Restore balance through reform of maritime safety and navigation laws.
- Re-establish the Maritime Workforce Development Forum to develop strategies to reverse the decline of maritime skills.
- Establish a national shipping industry reform council to drive industry changes and oversee the development of a strong maritime industry in Australia.
- Establish a national shipping infrastructure fund to revitalise Australian shipping and ensure a level playing field between freight transport modes.
- Provide policy coordination for port and supply chain development in Australia, including a tailored fees and charges regime that supports Australian shipping.