Swire Drops Brisbane to Darwin Coastal Service

zoom China Navigation-operated liner shipping company Swire Shipping has canceled Brisbane to Darwin coastal service, industry body Shipping Australia Limited said. According to Shipping Australia Limiteds Chief Executive Officer Rod Narin, the decision was triggered by burdening Coastal Trading regulations imposed by Australias Fair Work Commission, the costs of which are outweighing revenue. The Coastal Trading Act is believed to have introduced numerous regulatory burdens on both foreign ships and domestic shipping companies. Australian ports handled 97.4 million tonnes of coastal freight during 2012-13, an almost 2% decrease on 2011-12, indicative of a longer-term trend of decreasing amounts of coastal trade. Swire has not yet been available for comment. The company operates a monthly liner service connecting both North Asia and South East Asia with the Pacific Region and Australasia. World Maritime News Staff