AUSTRALIAN ship owners have warned the national fleet could halve if nothing is done by the government to protect the industry.
Last year, a Federal Government inquiry into coastal shipping recommended introducing a different tax system for Australian ships, based on tonnage rather than profits.
Teresa Hatch, from the Australian Shipowners Association (ASA), said it should be made more difficult for foreigners to transport local goods.
Hatch said the Australian ships are in constant competition with foreign ships, who are being offered significant incentives from their home countries.
According to Hatch, if foreign ships were removed from the system, Australian ships would no longer have to compete, similar to rail and road freight systems where trucks and trains do not compete with foreign companies in operation in Australia.
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