The New Zealand Maritime Union fears overseas trade could be in jeopardy unless the Government intervenes in the ports and maritime sector.
Union general secretary Joe Fleetwood said the Government should not leave the industry to chance when a substantial number of the country's imports and exports were shipped, rather it should plan for immediate action.
Mr Fleetwood's concerns follow comments from Transport Minister Stephen Joyce in Port Strategy, a port-related magazine, where he said, "I am seeking to do is overall take a watching brief and encourage those who are shipping the goods and the logistics companies, and port companies to work together to the best interests of getting stuff to markets as quick as they can".
Claims that changes in the port sector would occur naturally over time showed the Government did not grasp the implications of recent developments, Mr Fleetwood said.
The union wanted to a see a long-term national strategy that ensured rationalisation of ports through a planned and non-destructive process.
Ports should be integrated through a 'KiwiPort' system and coastal shipping had to receive the same support that road and rail did to create an effective, New Zealand-controlled transport system.
The union said the industry was concerned that in the future cargo could be hubbed through a large Australian port, with negative effects for New Zealand.
"This decision would be made by global shipping lines, whose interest is their own profit, not New Zealand's long term economic security," Mr Fleetwood said.
