The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers claimed yesterday the crew of the ships owned by Cement Australia — the Goliath, Cementco and Alcem Calaca — have been told to be in port on Wednesday for a major policy announcement.

Mr [Andrew Williamson] said two Sydney-based companies, INCO Ships and Canadian Steamship Lines Australia, were likely contenders to take over the management of the ships from Cement Australia. “These companies already utilise flag-of-convenience registries and parachute in crews from Ukraine and other countries,” he said.

THE crews of three ships that carry cement around Australia fear they will be sacked and replaced by foreigners when they berth this week.

The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers claimed yesterday the crew of the ships owned by Cement Australia — the Goliath, Cementco and Alcem Calaca — have been told to be in port on Wednesday for a major policy announcement.

Union vice-president Andrew Williamson said his members were fearful they would be replaced by cheap foreign labour.

The Goliath is due to berth in Sydney while the other two ships are expected to berth at Gladstone in Queensland. More than 100 Australian seafarers employed on the three ships are potentially affected.

Mr Williamson said two Sydney-based companies, INCO Ships and Canadian Steamship Lines Australia, were likely contenders to take over the management of the ships from Cement Australia. “These companies already utilise flag-of-convenience registries and parachute in crews from Ukraine and other countries,” he said.

“These crews are paid less than Australians and are not subject to Australian tax law.”

However, both INCO Ships and CSL Australia denied yesterday any involvement in or knowledge of the fate of the three ships. Cement Australia could not be contacted last night.

Controversy is raging in the Australian coastal shipping trade over the use of foreign flagged and foreign crewed vessels.

Mr Williamson said the federal Government had deregulated and decimated coastal shipping over the past five years, allowing the use of foreign crews to drive down local freight rates.

“The dumping of local crews in favour of foreigners is possible under the Howard Government’s temporary 457 visa regime and changes to the administration of the Navigation Act which allow flags of convenience in coastal trade,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Mark Vaile said permits that allowed the use of foreign ships were necessary to keep the economy ticking over.