Welcome to the NZ Merchant Service Guild

The Guild is the union representing maritime pilots, masters, deck officers, tug masters, launch masters and shore-based personnel who hold maritime qualifications and work in a supervisory capacity.

Guild news

Coastal Shipping

Immigration NZ is inviting submissions on the regular review of its skills shortages list.  Masters, deck officers and marine engineers are currently included in the Long Term Skills Shortages list.  Inclusion on the list means that no labour market test is required before a work permit is issued.  Any application for removal of occupations is due by 18 May.  Members are invited to leave their comments in the Members' Forum.

Maritime NZ's new safe ship management proposals ("MOSS") have been revised after extensive feedback from industry and are now subject to further consultation.  Public meetings will be held around the country during May and submissions will be invited in June.  For further information see http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commercial/Safety-management-systems/MOSS-consultation/MOSS-consultation.asp 

Ports

The Ports of Auckland dispute has entered a new phase with the return to work of union members after the employer's attempts to lock them out failed.  The substantive court hearing to determine the lawfulness of the employer's actions in proposing to contract out 300 jobs during bargaining was set down for 16 May but has been adjourned to allow facilitation of bargaining (stronger than mediation but weaker than arbitration) to take place on 8 and 9 May. 

Inshore Passenger Tourism

Qualifications

Maritime NZ are still unsure of the requirements for revalidation of foreign going qualifications under STCW 10.  We will keep asking and any definitive information will be posted as soon as it comes to hand.