AMSA Coastal Pilotage Portal

The environmental and cultural significance of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait regions are recognised the world over. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 and added to the World Heritage list in 1981. In 1990 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) named the Great Barrier Reef as the world’s first Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). The IMO also named the Torres Strait as a PSSA in 2005.

The Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef are used by a wide variety of vessels ranging from large tankers and container ships, bulk carriers and cruise ships as well as traditional fishing boats, modern trawlers and pleasure craft.

All but the smallest vessels are confined to a few well-defined routes, which are potentially hazardous to navigation – frequently very narrow or shallow, confined by many charted dangers, and strongly influenced by tides and tidal streams.

The Australian Government is committed to providing measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait region.  Mandatory coastal pilotage in key areas is one of these measures. 

The Coastal Pilotage Portal provides an opportunity to access information on the pilotage regime in this area.

This portal will continue to develop based on input from the users. Please contact us with suggestions for improvements.