Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Historic new maritime laws passed for Australia

by The Hon Anthony Albanese, Media Statement on 8 Sep 2012
New maritime laws for Australia’s waters SW
Federal Parliament recently passed historic new laws which regulate the safety of ships and seafarers and ensure shipping is conducted in a manner which protects Australia’s precious marine environment. (The bill is now waiting Royal Assent.)

The passing of the Navigation Bill 2012 and the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Bill 2012 also give effect to Australia’s obligations under various International Maritime Organization conventions and establishes the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as the single national maritime regulator.

Shipping is a crucial part of the Australian transport system with almost all our imports and exports carried by ship.

The safety and efficiency of our shipping industry is critical to our economic prosperity and that’s why these reforms are so important. They represent the most significant overhaul of the regulation and management of Australia’s maritime industry since 1912.

The 100 year old Navigation Act was first drafted by the Fisher Labor Government and a century later the task of modernising this legislation has been taken up by this Labor Government.

The National Law Bill replaces eight existing federal, state and territory regulators with one national marine safety regulator and a single national law, releasing manufacturers, operators and crews of commercial vessels from the current costly and confusing array of regulations.

The creation of a national system will lift safety standards, reduce red tape and provide better protections for our fragile marine environment from pollution and accidents.

In June this year, the Senate passed the Government’s Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Economy reforms.

Those reforms, combined with these new laws, cement Australia’s standing as a shipping nation and carry us forward into a brighter maritime future.
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTERLloyd Stevenson - AC Alinghi 1456x180px BOTTOM

Related Articles

Summer Youth Olympic Games equipment confirmed
Dakar 2026 will feature 2 sailing events in the Techno293 World Sailing is pleased to announce the selection of Techno293 as the equipment used in competition at the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, being held from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
Posted today at 6:08 am
America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton appears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted today at 4:18 am
Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 count down begins
New entries and a new home base location at the prestigious Club de Mar-Mallorca The countdown has begun for Europe's longest running superyacht regatta, with a new-look Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 all set for a spectacular 29th edition from 25-28 June.
Posted on 28 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 1
Ideal conditions for starting the Southern Wind RendezVous and Trophy The 2025 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised by the YCCS with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, got under way right on time today, 28 May 2025 at 11.30 a.m. on the waters off Porto Cervo.
Posted on 28 May
The international entries taking on Transpac
Aloha to competitors from outside the USA Transpac's reputation as one of the premier offshore regattas always draws a contingent of sailors from all over the world.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender.
Posted on 28 May
2025 is going to be a huge season for IMOCA
Antoine Mermod talks about the season ahead Over the next four years the most exciting monohull class in world offshore ocean racing will take on no less than 17 races, covering tens of thousands of miles of the world's oceans.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 28 May
CYCA team to take best shot at the Admiral's Cup
The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black during the Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes from the Isle of Wight from 17 July - 1 August.
Posted on 28 May
78th Annual Block Island Race
A test of grit, teamwork, and offshore strategy The 78th edition of the Block Island Race, hosted by the Storm Trysail Club, delivered classic Northeast spring conditions and a course that tested every sailor's resilience, tactics, and teamwork.
Posted on 28 May