Latest news with #ToddValster
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Union calls for tougher laws after stevedore falls from cargo ship at Port Nelson
The port company was also ordered to pay $5000 in emotional harm reparation to the victim, who suffered not only physical injuries but a form of post trauma disorder from the near-death experience. He told the Nelson District Court during sentencing earlier this month that he thought he would drown after falling into the sea at night, not knowing which way was up or down. 'Falling from a great height into the water was terrifying. I thought I was going to die,' the man read from his victim impact statement. Port Nelson Ltd had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge brought by Maritime NZ under the Health and Safety at Work Act, around its failure to provide a duty of care in a work environment. Judge Jo Rielly acknowledged at sentencing that problems with the guard rails on the container ship had previously been flagged, but for a number of reasons it appeared the message had failed to reach the right people. 'The focus must be on Port Nelson's role in what occurred in this incident, but it's clear they were not the only company that had a role in events,' she said. The Rail and Maritime Transport Union said the sentencing outcome showed the 'urgent need' for stronger health and safety enforcement in New Zealand ports, but the spotlight also needed to go on the seaworthiness and safety of international vessels calling at New Zealand ports. Union general secretary Todd Valster said that while the fine acknowledged a breach of duty by the port company, the issue was a systemic one. He said the fact that known issues with the ship's guard rails were not adequately addressed was a serious indictment. 'This was a horrifying ordeal for our member that could have easily been fatal.' NZME has approached Maersk's media representatives in Europe and Asia for comment, but has not received a response. Valster said the need to ensure a safe working environment included 'rigorous checks' on the seaworthiness and safety compliance of all visiting vessels. Associate Transport Minister James Meager, who has delegated responsibilities for the maritime sector and oversight of Maritime NZ, told NZME that the Government had no current plans to expand the liability of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) legislation to encompass foreign-flagged vessels. He said maritime safety was governed by international conventions and without international agreement, applying local law to operators operating out of other jurisdictions would be difficult. 'Making such a law change would be complex,' Meager said. However, he said Maritime NZ had several tools to hold foreign-flagged vessel operators to account, under port state control. 'There are some instances where a foreign-flagged vessel will be subject to HSWA, such as, where a New Zealand company is operating them under charter, where it is operating between New Zealand and a workplace involved with mineral extraction in the EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone].' The union said it would continue to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of all rail and port workers.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Greens want to get passenger rail back on track
The Green Party wants to supercharge passenger rail in the South — including reviving the Southerner. The party released its shadow budget yesterday ahead of the government's official Budget announcements. The shadow budget has a strong focus on the environment and curbing emissions, and key to this platform is the restoration of passenger rail across the country. The document notes that "Aotearoa was once linked up by passenger rail — from Christchurch to Dunedin, and to a myriad of small towns in between". "On any given day there were at least two passenger rail services to Christchurch from Dunedin. "Our plan to deliver a passenger rail service between Christchurch and Dunedin assumes leased rail cars from KiwiRail, while a stage one proof of concept is under way and establishment and refurbishment of stations at Rolleston, Timaru, Oamaru and Ashburton." Under the proposal, one train would run each way per day. "Once the passenger service has been proven, we would electrify and upgrade the main line from Christchurch to Ashburton to 110kmh, and purchase tilt trains to run the service and speed up travel times." The Southerner, running between Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin, ran successfully from 1970. In 1993, the rail system was sold privately, before being sold back to the government in a significantly degraded condition, and closed in 2002. Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said New Zealand once had regular, affordable train services connecting the country's centres and regions. "We've done it before, and we can do it again. "A passenger rail link would be great for students studying in Otago and Canterbury, and once the new Dunedin hospital is up and running, there will need to be a comfortable, accessible mode of transport for patients and whānau travelling there from around the region." Rail & Maritime Transport Union general secretary Todd Valster said reviving regional rail had a lot of merit, economically and environmentally. "There are a lot of people, young people nowadays in particular, that don't necessarily own cars and would like public transport options." The Green Party's shadow budget costs the project's operating expenditure at $16.89 million over its first four years, generating revenue of about $14.19m. Upgrading the stations would cost about $20m, buying the new trains about $90m and upgrading the lines about $300m over four years.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Party wants to get passenger rail back on track
The Green Party wants to supercharge passenger rail in the South — including reviving the Southerner. The party released its shadow budget yesterday ahead of the government's official Budget announcements. The shadow budget has a strong focus on the environment and curbing emissions, and key to this platform is the restoration of passenger rail across the country. The document notes that "Aotearoa was once linked up by passenger rail — from Christchurch to Dunedin, and to a myriad of small towns in between". "On any given day there were at least two passenger rail services to Christchurch from Dunedin. "Our plan to deliver a passenger rail service between Christchurch and Dunedin assumes leased rail cars from KiwiRail, while a stage one proof of concept is under way and establishment and refurbishment of stations at Rolleston, Timaru, Oamaru and Ashburton." Under the proposal, one train would run each way per day. "Once the passenger service has been proven, we would electrify and upgrade the main line from Christchurch to Ashburton to 110kmh, and purchase tilt trains to run the service and speed up travel times." The Southerner, running between Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin, ran successfully from 1970. In 1993, the rail system was sold privately, before being sold back to the government in a significantly degraded condition, and closed in 2002. Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said New Zealand once had regular, affordable train services connecting the country's centres and regions. "We've done it before, and we can do it again. "A passenger rail link would be great for students studying in Otago and Canterbury, and once the new Dunedin hospital is up and running, there will need to be a comfortable, accessible mode of transport for patients and whānau travelling there from around the region." Rail & Maritime Transport Union general secretary Todd Valster said reviving regional rail had a lot of merit, economically and environmentally. "There are a lot of people, young people nowadays in particular, that don't necessarily own cars and would like public transport options." The Green Party's shadow budget costs the project's operating expenditure at $16.89 million over its first four years, generating revenue of about $14.19m. Upgrading the stations would cost about $20m, buying the new trains about $90m and upgrading the lines about $300m over four years.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Scoop
Port Nelson Fine Highlights Maritime Safety Issues
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) says the $110,000 fine imposed on Port Nelson, following a stevedore's terrifying 12-metre fall from a container ship, shows the urgent need for stronger health and safety enforcement in New Zealand ports, and a crackdown on substandard foreign-flagged vessels. The company was sentenced on 6 May at the Nelson District Court after earlier pleading guilty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to breaching its duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers. The incident, which occurred during the night of 16 January 2023 when a faulty guard rail gave way on the container ship Maersk Nansha, left an RMTU member with physical injuries and serious emotional trauma after plunging into the sea at night. RMTU General Secretary Todd Valster says while the fine acknowledges a breach of duty by Port Nelson, the issue is a systemic one. "This was a horrifying ordeal for our member that could have easily been fatal. It highlights a dangerous confluence of lax health and safety standards in ports and the unacceptable condition of some overseas ships," Mr. Valster says. "The fact that known issues with the ship's guard rails were not adequately addressed is a serious indictment. Our members, and all port workers, have the right to go to work knowing they are safe. This incident demonstrates a clear failure in that fundamental duty of care." Mr. Valster says the spotlight needs to go on the seaworthiness and safety of international vessels calling at New Zealand ports. "For too long, we've seen a race to the bottom with some international shipping lines operating rust buckets with little regard for the safety of their own crews or port workers who work on these vessels. This incident, involving a major international shipping line, shows even well-known operators are not immune to serious safety failings on their ships." Mr Valster says port companies and shipping operators must be held fully accountable for ensuring a safe working environment. This includes rigorous checks on the seaworthiness and safety compliance of all visiting vessels, proper training, and safe staffing levels. "The RMTU will continue to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of all rail and port workers.'
