Country has become dump for ships, says minister

THE country has become a dumping ground for vessels and vehicles and the government will review laws concerning the importation of transport equipment to the country.
Transport Minister Francis Awesa told parliament that the government would make amendments to safeguard the safety of people.
He was replying to questions raised in regards to the sea disaster involving more than 370 people travelling on the mv Rabaul Queen which sank on Feb 2 while en route to Lae.
He said safety was being compromised by owners of vessels, trucks and airlines because of the lack of monitoring.
However he said there was a huge problem with the shipping industry which the government needed to address.
He said many shipowners were on the NMSA board which regulated and issued licenses.
It was a clear conflict of interest and compromised the safety of passengers.
He said the vessel mv Rabaul Queen had not complied with safety requirements and was overloaded.
He said there were only four major players in the shipping industry – Consort Shipping, Lutheran Shipping, Star Shipping and Steamships Shipping.
Other new players who wanted to join the industry were denied entry by the board which regulated and approved licences.
He said there was a need for a complete overhaul of the shipping industry.