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New Zealand shipping regulators are cutting back on their safety and security inspections of foreign-flagged ships, raising fears the industry is being left to regulate itself.
A report from the government's Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) agency Tuesday said that just 49 percent of "Priority 1" vessels coming to New Zealand were inspected in the 2014-2015 financial year.
The figure was below the target of 70 percent for the year, and below the 82-percent carried out in the 2013-2014 year.
The report said Maritime New Zealand was placing a greater emphasis on "engaging" with international partners to lift the quality of shipping and reduce the level of risk before ships entered New Zealand waters.
MNZ inspectors on "Priority 1" vessels look for safety hazards, pollution prevention plans, and examine working and living conditions.
Annabel Young, of the Shipping Federation, told Radio New Zealand that the country had signed up to international treaties and was not pulling its weight.
"We have an international obligation to make sure those ships are safe at sea," said Young.
The Maritime Union of New Zealand echoed concerns, saying MNZ was responsible for ensuring a "safe, secure and clean" maritime environment, and the monitoring and investigation of compliance by international shipping was a key role of the agency.
Union national secretary Joe Fleetwood said that while the union supported working with international partners, the ability of New Zealand to engage with "flag of convenience" shipping registries such as Liberia or Panama was limited or possibly non-existent in a practical sense.
The deregulated nature of the global shipping industry meant a stick was required as well as carrots to ensure standards were maintained, Fleetwood said in a statement.
There are frequent and regular issues with international shipping in New Zealand waters, and the union together with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), often had to step in to resolve issues on behalf of foreign crews.
