Australian Greens
Additional Comments
1.1
The report is an excellent summary of the risks that Flags of
Convenience (FOC) shipping poses to national security, fuel security, minimum
employment law standards and our marine environment. The Greens support all the
recommendations of the Chair’s report.
1.2
It is pertinent that the majority (58 per cent) of the vessels detained
by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on environmental grounds
between January 2014 and August 2015 sailed under FOCs. We fully endorse the
position taken by the Maritime Union of Australia of the importance of a highly
skilled and well trained maritime workforce, noting that Australian seafarers:
...go far beyond... the Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers—which is the IMO standard...We want to do better than
the minimums... because in our view, as a nation, we want to be better than the
minimum at risk mitigation against environmental catastrophe and the
consequential economic flow-on effects.[1]
1.3
This is in contrast to many FOC ships where the flag states may have
poor governance and compliance regimes and fail to adhere to international
maritime conventions and standards. These factors can compromise biosecurity,
for example through poor ballast water management or by causing marine
pollution.
1.4
We support the contention of the International Transport Workers Federation
- Australia that the recent increase of international ships operating in
Australian waters makes pollution of our environment more likely, including by:
...the
release of biocides from toxic chemicals used in anti-fouling paints of all
ships, dumping of wastes including oily wastes, and the transfer of invasive
alien species through ballast water. Increasing ship traffic also increases the
risk of maritime accidents including oil spills.[2]
1.5
We also endorse the views of the Australian Council of Mission to
Seafarers and the Maritime Union of New Zealand, who outlined the broader
effects of environmental accidents, as well as noting the potential cost to the
Commonwealth for clean-up operations.[3]
This includes physical damage to reefs; pollution of the sea and coastline; the
safety of ship and crew and those who go to assist; the emotional impacts on
coastal communities; the cost of clean-up operations, costs due to loss or
delay of ship cargo on Australian industry and commerce; and the difficulties
of recouping these costs from their owners.
1.6
These risks were exemplified in the environmental and financial cost of
the Shen Neng running aground in Queensland on 3 April 2010, an accident
caused by crew fatigue. This grounding caused irreparable damage to the Great
Barrier Reef, and clean-up costs of $192 million which were funded by the
Commonwealth.
Recommendation 1
1.7
That the review of the Australian maritime sector specifically
include a review of risks to the marine environment of flags of convenience
shipping and specifically include consideration of how shipping can be more
responsive to Australian environmental laws
Senator Janet Rice
Australian Greens Senator for Victoria
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