A Liberian vessel carrying more than 67,000 tonnes of coal has been discovered to have a cracked hull, and is now anchored off Hay Point in Mackay, in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters called for the coal to be off-loaded immediately and permanent repairs put in place, before the ship undertakes the voyage to China.
“The idea that this vessel may be allowed to leave for China with only a temporary slap and patch fix is disgraceful, and could pose a grave risk to our World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef,” Senator Waters said.
“As we’ve seen with recent ship spills off the coasts of New Zealand and Christmas Island, just one grounding can be an ecological disaster for the entire area.
“Figures I have obtained through Senate Estimates reveal that under current port expansion plans, coal and coal seam gas shipping will more than treble throughout the Great Barrier Reef.
“If we continue with the Government’s plan to turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coal and gas highway, we will risk the health and World Heritage status of our Reef for fossil fuel exports.
“Our shipping safety and piloting regulations should be of the very highest standard – any less and we are gambling with the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the sustainable industries it supports which bring in more than $6 Billion per year.”
Media contact: Elissa McKay 0419 626 725
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