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Almost all of Australia's export trade is moved by ship and shipping plays a significant role in fulfilling Australia's domestic freight task - carrying 24 per cent of the total freight task in 2004-05. While this is a significant contribution by the shipping industry to the national freight task, it is not a substantial one. There is room for growth in Australia's coastal shipping industry. The Australian coastal shipping industry has been in decline for some time. In 2005-06, the Australian registered trading fleet consisted of 46 vessels. In 1996, that number stood at 75. Increasingly, foreign vessels have been employed to carry goods around the Australian coast to the detriment of Australia's coastal shipping fleet. There is a view amongst many in the Australian maritime industry that Australia would benefit from a revived and expanded coastal shipping sector. The strongest argument for revitalising Australia's coastal shipping industry is an economic one. A strong domestic shipping industry can assist in the alleviation of land transport bottlenecks, infrastructure constraints and environmental impacts, as well as provide economic benefits derived from the creation of local employment and the growth of maritime services. Australian defence, maritime safety and security could also benefit from an expanded coastal shipping sector.