Australian Maritime Regulatory Landscape to Change

Australian Parliament's new maritime legislation will revamp Australian maritime regulatory responsibilites in 2013.

The main changes are as follows:

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will become the national regulator for all domestic commercial vessels in Australia, with state and Northern Territory maritime agencies exercising AMSA delegations in administering national standards.

The new Navigation Act 2012 will modernise the way international shipping is regulated by AMSA, providing for high levels of safety and protection of the marine environment through transparent and flexible regulation.

The Regulatory Affairs and Reform Division will become the Domestic Vessel Division. The division will administer the national law; maintain and develop national standards; coordinate training and safety education; provide a support function to industry; and liaise with industry and government. Mr John Fladun will continue in his role as General Manager.

The Maritime Standards Division will become the Navigation Safety & International Division, to more accurately reflect its focus on regulating navigation safety standards and operations, adopting international convention standards for Australia and leading AMSA’s international engagement, including technical cooperation with nations and international bodies such as the International Maritime Organization. Mr Brad Groves will continue in his role as General Manager.

The Maritime Operations Division will become the Ship Safety Division, to more accurately reflect its focus on regulating ship and seafarer safety. Mr Allan Schwartz will continue in his role as General Manager.

A new Corporate Relations Division will be established, consolidating AMSA’s communication, media, industry, government and parliamentary support functions. In response to increasing community interest in AMSA’s maritime safety, marine environment protection and search and rescue activities, the division will focus on enhancing engagement with industry and the broader Australian community. Mr Malcolm Larsen will become the Acting General Manager.

This new division will be coordinating a series of ‘AMSA Community Information Days’, between October and November this year in all capital cities and regional centres.