Industry Forum for World Maritime Day

Maritime NZ organised the national forum in Wellington to mark World Maritime Day, which has the theme this year of “Shipping Indispensable to the World”.

More than 80 representatives attended from across the maritime sector, including a range of industries, and regional and central government.

Two panel discussions were held: International and Coastal Shipping; and Domestic Shipping. Speakers included Maersk Line Trade and Marketing Director, Hennie van Schoor; Sealord General Manager Supply Chain, Dan Boulton; and Fullers Group Chief Executive, Doug Hudson; along with representatives from training schools, and Executive Director Annabel Young of the New Zealand Shipping Federation.

Some of the themes discussed included:

• The need for more consideration of the maritime sector in New Zealand’s national transport strategy;
• The difficulties in placing cadets on ships to complete their training hours;
• The oversupply of containers and ships, due to intense international competition, and how that is impacting on New Zealand coastal shipping.

Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch says “the forum produced valuable discussion about the challenges and opportunities faced by maritime industries”.

“It also provided industry representatives an opportunity to air their perspectives with those in government - with the people who can assist in creating the right environments for growth.”

The forum was followed by a networking function, which enabled industry and government representatives to continue discussions - a little less formally - about general issues impacting on the maritime sector.