Working Conditions Aboard the Buffalo

In a significant move to protect its maritime workforce, the New Zealand government reaffirmed its commitment to cabotage laws, which dictate that domestic shipping must be carried out by vessels registered under the national flag and manned by local crew. This decision has garnered support from the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUN) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The situation escalated when Holcim, a leading cement supplier, sought an exemption from these laws. Operating the cement carrier ‘Buffalo’ (IMO: 9631125) since 2016, the company ultimately opted to divest the vessel to the Swiss shipping firm NovaAlgoma. This choice stemmed from the high operational costs associated with the ‘Buffalo’, compounded by an impending $4.6 million in necessary repairs that made its continued use financially unfeasible. As part of the deal, Holcim has enlisted NovaAlgoma to use the smaller Panamanian-flagged vessel ‘NACC Vega’ (IMO: 9486336) for its services, which unfortunately contravenes local cabotage regulations due to its foreign flag and crew. Holcim’s application for a waiver concerning this vessel highlighted their attempt to navigate around the stringent regulations intended to safeguard local jobs. The Associate Minister of Transport in New Zealand firmly rejected Holcim's request, clarifying that waivers are usually reserved only for exceptional cases or specific single voyages, rather than for ongoing operations. The ruling was met with applause from unions like the MUN and ITF, who argued that granting such exemptions could undermine the protections established for local maritime workers and set a precarious precedent for the industry.