Coastal Trading Reform for Cargo Vessels

MIAL has inserted comments throughout the paper circulated by the Department as well as answering the specific questions provided at the end of the document. MIAL comments are in red and at times when the comment refers to a specific reference within the original paper that text has been highlighted also.

MIAL notes at the outset that these changes are no substitute for meaningful shipping policy reform that would serve Australia to secure the strategic maritime industrial and skills base this nation needs now more than ever as the COVID-19 Pandemic has exposed the fragility inherent in our utter reliance on foreign ships and seafarers for not only our international but also our domestic trade. Appendix 1 of this submission is a summary of work recently conducted by MIAL highlighting the very great need for meaningful and urgent reform.