11 January 2005

Subject: Seafreight Costs
 
Review of Part X Trade Practices Act: International Liner Cargo Shipping

To Professor Judith Sloan

From Dr Tony Fletcher

Further to my previous comments about the cost of sea freight paid to foreign shipowners to the detriment of the Australian community — and certainly not to the “Public Benefit”. It has been most difficult to find reliable figures, my guestimates for 2003 being 
      Imports   A $ 3,245,246,280.00
      Exports   A $ 2,282,123,320.00 
 
The ABS has given me their figure for imports only (they do not have export figures) which is for 2003
Imports   A$ 4,870,000,000.  The data is supplied by importers which may or may not be adjusted to suite their own purposes and the ABS give the information in good faith. Nevertheless given my figures are based on average freight rates I think they are indicative enough to be a measure of what foreign shipowners make from having a “free reign” to operate under protections which are not warranted.
 
I await your final report and recommendations with great interest.

Tony Fletcher (Dr)