This consultation closed on 18 December 2025.
About the changes
Lost freight containers pose serious risks to maritime safety and the marine environment.
Because of this, mandatory reporting rules have been added to SOLAS Chapter V under IMO Resolution MSC.550(108).
We are now updating Australian laws to align with these international safety requirements and make container loss reporting clear and enforceable.
The main updates are to Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment). There are minor updates to marine orders 41 and 94 to ensure consistency.
We have also taken the opportunity to make minor consequential and administrative changes to these orders as well as marine orders 43 and 70.
Key dates
17 November 2025: Consultation opens
18 December 2025: Consultation closes
1 March 2026: Consultation feedback report
1 April 2026: Amendments come into effect
Who the changes apply to
- Owners and operators of regulated Australian vessels (RAVs)
- Foreign-flagged vessels operating in Australian waters
What changes did we seek feedback on?
- Update Marine Order 27 to require all vessels (regardless of build date) to report any freight containers they lose or observe in the water, in line with SOLAS Chapter V.
- Make minor updates to marine orders 41 and 94 to reflect the MO27 changes and ensure consistency.
- Make separate minor updates to marine orders 27, 41, 43, 70 and 94 to improve clarity, revise outdated references and align with recent international conventions.