Standards and Regulations
AMSA represents Australia at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and other international forums in the development, implementation and enforcement of international standards governing ship safety, navigation, marine environment protection, ship operations, maritime security, crew competency, training and fatigue management.
Australia’s maritime regulatory framework is based on policies and guidelines relating to ship construction standards, ship survey and safety, crewing, seafarers’ qualifications and welfare, occupational health and safety, carriage and handling of cargoes, passengers and marine pollution prevention.
AMSA works closely with the National Marine Safety Committee to improve consistency and safety outcomes across state and territory marine authorities through the National Marine Safety Strategy.
These pages provide information on the various policies and guidelines AMSA has produced in support of national and international safety standards.
Marine Notices
Marine Orders
Cargoes
AMSA is responsible for implementing IMO regulations for all safety related aspects for marine carriage of all types including bulk liquid and solid cargoes, dangerous goods, general cargoes, containers, as well as standards and operations concerning cargo lifting gear.
Under provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 Ch VI and Ch VII, ships are subject to port State control inspections during which compliance with cargo requirements including stowage, segregation, packaging and documentation is verified.
AMSA represents Australia at the following related IMO Sub-Committees:
- Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC)
- Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG)
Related regulations with related links:
Cargo Handling
Marine Orders Part 32 - Cargo handling equipment
Marine Orders Part 42 - Cargo stowage and securing
Marine Orders Part 44 – Safe containers
Marine Notice 17/2006 - Compliance with Marine Orders Part 42 Cargo Stowage and Securing
Grain
Marine Orders Part 33 - Cargo and cargo handling – grain
Loading, or Sailing after Partial Discharge, of Bulk Grain [
PDF: 304Kb]
Bulk Cargoes
Marine Orders Part 34 - Solid Bulk Cargoes
Marine Orders Part 35 - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers
Marine Notice 20/2006 - Fuzzy (Linted) Cottonseed – Carriage Requirements
The Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers [ PDF: 522Kb]
Disposal of dry bulk cargo residues in Australian waters
Dangerous Goods
Marine Orders Part 41 - Carriage of dangerous goods
Marine Notice 18/2006 - Amendments to Marine Orders Part 41 and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
Livestock
Marine Orders Part 43 - Cargo and cargo handling - livestock
Note: Mo 43 refers to the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock which is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the standard can be accessed at http://www.daffa.gov.au
Related regulations:
Marine Orders Part 32 - Cargo handling equipment
Marine Orders Part 33 - Cargo and cargo handling – grain
Marine Orders Part 34 - Solid Bulk Cargoes
Marine Orders Part 35 - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers
Marine Orders Part 41 - Carriage of dangerous goods
Marine Orders Part 42 - Cargo stowage and securing
Marine Orders Part 44 – Safe containers
Marine Orders Part 43 - Cargo and cargo handling - livestock
Marine Notice 17/2006 - Compliance with Marine Orders Part 42 Cargo Stowage and Securing
Marine Notice 18/2006 - Amendments to Marine Orders Part 41 and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
Marine Notice 20/2006 - Fuzzy (Linted) Cottonseed – Carriage Requirements
Related links:
The Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers [ PDF: 522Kb]
Related IMO publications
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), (2004 Edition)
IMDG Code Supplement, (2004 Edition)
Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code), 2004 (2005 Edition)
IMO/ILO/UN ECE Guidelines for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs), (1997 Edition)
International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (International Grain Code), (1991 Edition)
Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes, (1991 Edition)
Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code), (1998 Edition)
International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972, (1996 Edition)
Code of Safe Practice for the Carriage of Cargoes and Persons by Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV Code), (2000 Edition)
Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), (2003 Edition), including Guidelines for the Preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual, (1997 Edition)
Further information on these publications may be found in the IMO Publications Catalogue [ PDF: n/aKb]
Communications
Communications between ship stations and shore based communications networks are conducted on Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) working channels.
GMDSS is an automated communication system that alerts Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities ashore, as well as shipping in the immediate vicinity of the ship or person in distress, to reduce the response time for a co-ordinated SAR operation. The system also provides for urgency and safety communications and the promulgation of maritime safety information (MSI), such as weather broadcasts. Every ship is able to perform those communication functions, regardless of its area of operations. A full description of GMDSS and associated services is contained in the Australian GMDSS Training and Operations Manual (June 2006) published by AMSA and available for purchase from all AMSA offices.
AMSA sets out ship requirements regarding radio installations, equipment, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, performance standards, maintenance requirements, personnel and recordkeeping for ships in Marine Orders Part 27- Radio Equipment [ PDF: n/aKb]. These requirements comply with Chapter IV of SOLAS, the ITU Radio Regulations, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code.
AMSA represents Australia at the following related IMO Sub-Committees:
- Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR)
Related regulations:
Marine Orders Part 6 – Marine Radio Qualifications
Marine Orders Part 63 - AUSREP
Marine Orders Part 27- Radio Equipment
Marine Notice 14/2006 - AUSREP – Amendment List 1/2006
Related links:
Distress and Safety Communications
Seafarer Training & Certification
AMSA is responsible for ensuring seafarer competency standards meet the needs of the Australian Shipping Industry and Australia's obligations under International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW95).
Related regulations:
Marine Orders Part 3 - Seagoing Qualifications
Marine Orders Part 6 - Marine radio qualifications
Related links:
Marine Qualifications
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
Technical
AMSA is responsible for policy concerning the design, construction and equipment of ships.
Accordingly, AMSA represents Australia at the following related IMO Sub-Committees:
- Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE)
- Sub-Committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessel Safety (SLF)
- Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG)
- Sub-Committee on Fire Protection (FP)
Related regulations:
Marine Orders Part 12 - Construction - Subdivision & stability, machinery and electrical installations
Marine Orders Part 15 - Construction - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
Vessel Certification
AMSA is responsible for managing survey and certification arrangements for Australian ships.
This is achieved through arrangements between AMSA and recognised Classification Societies, which are delegated to conduct approvals, survey and certification requirements. These arrangements aim to ensure compliance with AMSA’s statutory responsibilities and Class agreements.
AMSA has recognised seven recognised Classification Societies, which are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) [www.iacs.org.uk], to undertake survey, certification and approval functions on its behalf. These are:
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) [www.eagle.org]
- Bureau Veritas (BV) [www.veristar.com]
- China Classification Society (CCS) [www.ccs.org.cn]
- Det Norske Veritas (DNV) [www.dnv.com]
- Germanischer Lloyd (GL) [www.gl-group.com]
- Lloyd's Register (LR) [www.lr.org]
- Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) [www.classnk.or.jp]
AMSA has an agreement with each of these Classification Societies governing the provision of survey and certification services for vessels registered in Australia.
AMSA represents Australia at the IMO on issues related to approvals, survey and certification matters - particularly in relation to ship design, structure, load lines, machinery and equipment requirements.
Related regulations:
Marine Orders Part 31 - Ship surveys and Certification