The formation of this Committee originated with the desire of local shipping interests, both government and commercial, to maintain Tasmania as part of the direct overseas shipping route. Additional objectives included ;;- to seek a common import tax rate across the State;;- to lobby for the appropriate stowage of imported cargo so as to facilitate the loading of Tasmanian export cargo;;A non-core objective for the Committee included the promotion of interstate trade.;;Membership was drawn from the wardens of the various Tasmanian Marine Boards as well as local commercial interests. While the Committee was initially based in Hobart, membership quickly grew to include Launceston, Burnie and Devonport. However, tensions remained between the northern and southern interests within the Committee.