Government Invests $8.3M to Train New Zealand’s Future Seafarers and Boost Coastal Shipping

The New Zealand Government is investing $8.3 million from the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund to create training berths for seafarers, addressing workforce shortages due to retirements and industry challenges. This funding will help domestic vessel operators cover trainee expenses, ensuring the development of skilled seafarers essential for coastal freight services and emergency supply deliveries. Building a home-grown maritime workforce will strengthen the resilience of New Zealand’s supply chain and support the broader maritime sector critical to the national economy.