AN IN-PRINCIPAL agreement was reached yesterday between TasPorts and the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU), resolving a situation which was threatening to send the country’s cruise season into stormy seas.
The AMOU had earlier this week notified it would be taking industrial action from 07 February, after initially agreeing to suspend strikes to continue negotiations.
Last-minute negotiations between the two parties fortunately saw the crisis averted.
“The agreement…will see the resumption of full marine pilotage services across our ports, following the lifting of all protected industrial action as confirmed earlier today,” Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said.
The action would’ve included a stoppage of work yesterday, as well as on weekends and public holidays, and also covered a ban on conducting any work outside usual rostered hours, and on the performance of pilotage services at night.
Donald said the news is welcome for passengers and the community, as the cruise industry kept a close eye on proceedings.
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper was scheduled to call Hobart yesterday, and spent the morning anchored in Storm Bay, before finally making her way into port.
Viking and Carnival Corporation had also been monitoring the situation, with Viking Sky, Viking Orion, Royal Princess, Majestic Princess, Seabourn Odyssey, Queen Elizabeth, and Volendam all scheduled to visit Tasmania this month.
Disney Cruise Line, Azamara, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Virgin Voyages will also breathe a sigh of relief, as their ships will also be able to visit Tasmania as scheduled.
