Coalition Government News

Iran is ready to send ships loaded with fuel to Lebanon within one or two weeks to help run the country's power plants, the Iranian embassy in Beirut told Al-Manar TV as a Lebanese delegation was in Tehran to discuss energy cooperation.A Lebanese energy ministry spokesperson said they were unaware whether a fuel import deal had been struck but said "any gift from anywhere is welcome".Iran had previously proposed providing fuel to the Lebanese state in the form of a donation in an effort to avoid U.S.

India's Adani Group is preparing to ship the first coal cargo from Australia's most controversial mine, after battling a seven-year campaign by climate activists and defying a global push away from fossil fuels.The Carmichael mine in outback Queensland state is likely to be the last new thermal coal mine to be built in Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter, but will be a vital source of supply for importers such as power plants in India."The first shipment of high-quality…

Somewhere on its journey from the waters off Iran, around Africa's southern tip and into the Mediterranean, the Grace 1 oil tanker lost the flag under which it sailed and ceased to be registered to Panama. Iran later claimed it as its own.The ship carrying 2 million barrels of Iranian crude was seized by British Royal Marines off Gibraltar, raising tensions in the Gulf where Iran detained a UK-flagged ship in retaliation.Grace 1 remains impounded, not because of its flag but because it was suspected of taking oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions, an allegation that Iran denies.Yet Panama's move on May 29 to strike it from its register…

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said 47 migrants who have been blocked at sea off Sicily for 11 days on a rescue ship will be allowed to come ashore on Wednesday, ending the latest migrant standoff."In a few hours, they will begin to disembark," Conte told reporters in Milan. The migrants have been on the vessel since they were rescued off the Libyan coast.Italy's populist government, which took office last year, has closed its ports to humanitarian vessels in a bid to force European Union partners to take a share of those rescued in the Mediterranean.The Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3, which is run by a German humanitarian group, has been moored off the coast of Sicily as it waits for a safe port.

Thousands of jobs will be created in South Australia as a result of the Malcolm Turnbull  Government’s announcement that Australia’s nine Future Frigates will be designed by BAE and built by ASC Shipbuilding, says South Australian  Liberal Government. Premier Steven Marshall said that South Australia will be the beneficiary of this $35 billion decision with many local businesses in the supply chain winning a share of the Coalition’s historic investment. “South Australia is now unquestionably the centre of naval shipbuilding in Australia,” said Premier Marshall. “This $35 billion program will deliver unprecedented economic benefit to the South Australian economy, with over 100 businesses already pre-qualifying with BAE to be part of the project.

Australia’s lead management agency for the Great Barrier Reef will receive a $124 million funding boost over the next 10 years from the Turnbull Government. The funding commitment for the Townsville-based Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is great news for the North Queensland region and Townsville, and follows the signing of Australia’s first City Deal for Townsville earlier this month. Frydenberg said the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which has been managing this acclaimed World Heritage Area for more than 40 years, will receive an additional $34.1 million over four years from 2016-17, and $15 million each year from 2020-21.

The Government has signed contracts with Navantia S.A. to build Australia’s two replacement replenishment ships, avoiding a critical capability gap. Australia’s current supply ship HMAS Success will reach its end of life in 2021 and needs to be replaced as a matter of priority. As part of the $640 million contract with Navantia more than $130 million will go to Australian industry. Local industry activity will include Combat and Communication Systems integration, Integrated Logistics Support, and elements of the onboard cranes. In addition an initial $250 million, five-year sustainment contract also signed with Navantia will be undertaken in Australia.

The Australian Government has thrown domestic shipbuilders an A$89 billion (US$ 66 billion) lifeline. It plans to deliver a long-term plan for a strong and sustainable naval shipbuilding industry. Over the next 20 years the Government will invest the $89 billion in ships and submarines for the Navy. It's also still unclear whether local yards will benefit from a submarine program that accounts for a hefty chunk of the promised funding. This critical investment will generate significant economic growth and sustain several thousand Australian jobs over decades. It is a key part of our commitment to a safe and secure Australia. The Government will implement a continuous build of surface warships in Australia.

Labor’s warning over the future of Australian defense manufacturing is absolute hypocrisy, Defense Minister David Johnston said today. Speaking from Perth, Senator Johnston, said the so-called shipbuilding Valley of Death was created by Labor because rather than steering the country forward and making sound strategic decisions they spent six years bickering in the back seat over who should be driving. “It was the former government which cut Defense spending to its lowest levels since 1938," Senator Johnston said.

Speaking from Perth, Defence Minister Senator Johnston, said the so-called ship-building 'Valley of Death' was created by Labor because rather than steering the country forward and making sound strategic decisions they spent six years bickering in the back seat over who should be driving. Labor’s warning over the future of Australian defence manufacturing is absolute hypocrisy, claimed the Defence Minister in a government news release.“It was the former government which cut Defence spending to its lowest levels since 1938," Senator Johnston said.

Norway's government will this spring launch a strategy to develop technology for capturing and burying heat-trapping emissions from polluting industries, aiming to make good on a pledge to build a full-size plant by 2020. Proponents of carbon capture and storage (CCS) hope the oil-rich nation will join Britain and the Netherlands in funding a handful of schemes to keep Europe from falling behind other major economies in adopting the technology. Europe had once aimed to take a global lead in the development of CCS, which bodies such as the International Energy Agency view as essential to meet a globally agreed goal of limiting temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius.

The Australian State of Victoria's Minister for Ports informs that Nick Easy has been appointed as CEO of the Port of Melbourne Corporation. Port of Melbourne Corporation Chairman Mark Birrell said that the Port of Melbourne Board undertook an extensive recruitment and selection process and was very pleased to recommend Nick Easy to the Victorian Government for appointment. “The Board looks forward to Nick commencing in the role and provide strong leadership to the Corporation at this important time for the Port of Melbourne,” Mr Birrell said.

London’s crucial central role in the global shipping industry was highlighted when members of the international maritime community and representatives of the U.K. Government gathered to officially launch the first ever London International Shipping Week (LISW) last night. Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, spoke of the important role maritime business plays in both the U.K. and global economy as he addressed more than 100 guests gathered at the London offices of Norton Rose Fulbright, overlooking the Thames at sunset.

Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister for Ports Denis Napthine announce trade figures at the Port of Melbourne surged in the 2011-12 financial year with a 9.1 per cent overall increase at Australasia’s busiest container and general cargo port. Mr Baillieu said in the 2011-12 financial year total port trade grew to 87 million revenue tonnes up from 79.7 million revenue tonnes in the previous year. Dr Napthine said the Port Expansion Project would ensure the Port of Melbourne continued to be a key economic asset for the state for many decades to come. “The Port of Melbourne is an absolutely critical component of the Victorian economy, directly supporting about 14,000 jobs and many more indirect jobs throughout the state.