Shipping reform draws opposition

More than 1700 Australian jobs could be lost if the federal government's proposed deregulation of coastal shipping goes ahead, the maritime union says.

Modelling by the Australian Maritime Union released on Wednesday shows that across the nation job losses will reach 1776, including crew working on cruise and ferry vessels, and in sectors such as petrol and gas, LNG, dry bulk trade, bauxite and aluminium.

The figures are contained in a submission to a Senate committee which is considering amendments to shipping legislation to allow foreign-flagged ships to spend more time in Australian waters.

"It intentionally removes all preferential treatment for Australian ships, which has been at the heart of maritime and shipping policy in Australia for over a century," the submission said of the amendment.

The union further argues that foreign seafarers will be able to enter and work in Australia on an indefinite basis without requiring a work visa.

It is a fear rejected by the federal government.

The nation needs updated shipping laws to cope with forecast growth of up to 80 per cent freight quantity over the coming two decades, a spokeswoman for Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss said.

"There aren't enough ships to move our cargo and for some cargoes there aren't any Australian ships at all," she said, adding that without deregulation Australian shipping could come to a standstill.

The proposed law changes include safeguards that a ship's master, chief mate, chief engineer or first engineer are Australian workers.

But the union said there are many other seafaring positions, including cooks and trade specialists, whose jobs are at risk.

Some 380 workers currently employed on freight and ferry vessels servicing Bass Strait could be among those to lose their jobs, the union said.

That news has sparked calls from Tasmanian Greens senator Nick McKim for the proposed legislation to be dumped.

"These (union) figures are confirmation of the disastrous effect that the Liberals' coastal shipping laws will have," he said.

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee is due to report back on the shipping bill by October 12.