by Bo Samuelsson

The Labour government put together a development package for domestic sea freight with the goal of increasing the transport mode's share of domestic transport from 15% to 30% by 2040. Recognising the environmental benefit, national importance of regional businesses' access to markets and the international trend of larger vessels calling less ports, the package was coupled to a development fund to help NZ operators achieving this goal.

All very nice and forward thinking and welcomed by the industry. However, the National government has now reviewed the package and reputedly decided to scrap the development fund saying that they do not want to favor one transport mode over another.