THE PREMISE that new ships provide a more humane way to transport livestock is a fallacy according to the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC).
ALEC was responding to criticism from 35 animal welfare organisations that called on the International Maritime Organisation to tighten regulations for what it said was an aging fleet of animal transport ships.
In an open letter to the IMO secretary-general, the group warned of systemic safety issues in the global live animal transport fleet.
“With an average age of 40 years, these ships are the oldest in any shipping sector — well beyond the standard safe operating life of 25 years,” a report publishing by the Animal Welfare Foundation said.
“The recent incident involving the Spiridon II has further intensified the debate. Without international reforms, further catastrophic losses of animal and human life are inevitable,” the report claimed.
In its response ALEC called for a more balanced discussion that recognises Australia’s global leadership in animal welfare preparation and supply chain regulation.
ALEC chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton said it was important for the industry to analyse the long-term future of the shipping sector, but any discussion needed to recognise Australia’s unique requirements and challenges.
“Australia’s live export reputation is built on robust standards, including requirements that all vessels servicing the trade are safe, reliable and efficient,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.
“Australian livestock exporters do not compromise on these requirements because of their direct link to animal welfare outcomes.
“Disappointingly, some recent public commentary has reduced what is a complex, intricately managed and highly regulated system to a narrow discussion focused on ship age.
“The idea that a newer ship automatically guarantees a successful voyage is misleading — livestock exports are not container shipping. Animal welfare outcomes depend just as heavily on livestock preparation, supply chain management, loading practices, stocking densities, ventilation management, crew expertise and onboard procedures.”
A media release from ALEC claimed that only animals that meet strict fit-to-load requirements are permitted to travel, with those decisions overseen by veterinarians and accredited professionals operating within a tightly regulated framework.
The Federal Government’s Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) governs everything from stocking densities and ventilation to feed, water and bedding provisions on board vessels.
These standards are enforced through routine inspections, audits and regulatory oversight which, according to Mr Harvey-Sutton, has instilled a culture of compliance that continues to lift standards year after year.
“By global standards, ships servicing Australia’s live export trade are relatively young, well-regulated and subject to some of the most stringent operational and animal welfare oversight in international shipping,” he said.
“Every livestock carrier must comply with Australian Maritime Safety Authority requirements, international maritime conventions, classification society rules and Australia’s own livestock export regulations, including ASEL.
“If a vessel doesn’t meet requirements, it doesn’t sail, regardless of its age.”
While fleet renewal remains important and investment in new vessels should be encouraged, Mr Harvey-Sutton said it must be framed as a strategic progression rather than a crisis narrative.
He said portraying the fleet as being ‘on borrowed time’ and a threat to the trade’s future was misleading.
“Building a modern livestock carrier requires enormous capital and long-term confidence. Shipowners and financiers need certainty that the trade will endure and regulatory settings will remain stable,” he said.
“They also need certainty that there will be a concerted effort to address inefficiencies within our port systems, particularly around inspection processes, pilot fatigue management plans, berth congestion and industrial relations.
“A more balanced discussion is therefore essential. Fleet renewal matters, but so does recognising Australia’s individual challenges and strengths.
“Ship age is part of the discussion, but it’s far from the whole story.”