New taskforce to examine Western Australian shipping industry

Photo: Pilbara Ports Authority

The Western Australia State Government is establishing a taskforce to examine the state’s shipping industry and supply chains that link Western Australia with the east coast and international customers.

The taskforce comes in response to the recent significant disruption to the supply chain into WA, a result of the east-west rail link being closed for 24 days due to unprecedented flooding.

The state government said the impact of the disruption raises questions about what else can be done to strengthen the state’s supply chain.

The taskforce will examine:

  • the role intrastate and interstate shipping can play as an ancillary route for freight movements in the event of natural disasters and disruptions to other supply chains;
  • potential support for a national approach to the agile use of interstate shipping to strengthen critical supply chains;
  • the sustainability and resilience of WA’s on-water maritime labour force, including any emerging skill gaps, training requirements or critical worker shortages;
  • opportunities to develop multi-modal responsiveness towards disruptions in vital WA freight supply chains; and
  • opportunities to improve supply chain co-ordination and service quality at WA ports.

The taskforce will be chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Ports Jessica Stojkovski MLA, and Kyle McGinn MLC.

The taskforce announcement comes days after the Maritime Industry of Australia called on the government to urgently guarantee the survival of an Australian-flagged commercial shipping fleet.

Engagement will be undertaken with the shipping and transport industry, customers, port authorities, unions and the broader community.

The taskforce will identify and recommend implementable options to improve shipping industry utility and will report back to Cabinet by March 31, 2023.


Ausmarine

Published since 1978, Ausmarine is the foremost magazine servicing the Australian and New Zealand commercial, military and government marine sectors.