News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA. See our information for journalists and members of the media.

Collaboration brings FNQ maritime safety improvements

Published 13/02/2020

Authorities and industry education are collaborating to help improve the safety of commercial fishing operations in remote areas of Far North Queensland.

Yang Ming ship arrested for pollution debt

Published 09/02/2020

The sister ship of the YM Efficiency, which lost 81 shipping containers off the coast of Newcastle and Port Stephens in June 2018, has been arrested in Sydney today for a pollution debt that could reach as high as AUD $20 million.

Master convicted after failing to report main engine breakdown without delay

Published 16/01/2020

The master of a ship has been convicted after failing to report without delay a main engine breakdown off Queensland, Australia that affected the safety, operation and seaworthiness of his ship.

Contract signed for YM Efficiency pollution clean-up operation

Published 18/12/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has signed a contract to remove the pollution caused by the Yang Ming owned container ship YM Efficiency, when it lost 81 containers off the coast of Newcastle last year.

Moreton Bay rescue a timely reminder to hire and drive operators

Published 12/12/2019

Six tourists had to be rescued from a busy shipping channel in Moreton Bay over the weekend after they drifted away from shore unsupervised in their hire-and-drive kayaks.

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Bowen

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next week for commercial line fishing operators and crews that use dories or tenders.

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Cairns

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next week for commercial line fishing operators and crews that use dories or tenders.

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Cooktown

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next week for commercial line fishing operators and crews that use dories or tenders.

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Gladstone

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next week for commercial line fishing operators and crews that use dories or tenders.

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Mackay

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next week for commercial line fishing operators and crews that use dories or tenders.

AMSA joins forces with Queensland to improve safety for dory fishing operations

Published 14/11/2019

Authorities are joining forces to improve commercial line fishing operations that use tenders, or dories, in a push to improve the safety culture in an industry that has a reputation for being high risk.

Two bulk carriers banned from Australian ports in one day

Published 13/09/2019

In an unprecedented move, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has today banned two bulk carriers from Australian ports for breaching the most basic rights of seafarers.

Bulk carrier detained in Brisbane for unpaid wages

Published 11/09/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has detained the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier MV Xing Jing Hai in the Port of Brisbane for unpaid crew wages.

Search suspended for missing helicopter

Published 09/09/2019

At about 1815 on Friday 6 September the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was contacted by Williamtown air traffic control, who reported that a Helicopter had disappeared from radar about four nautical miles south of Fingle Bay near Port Stephens.

Tender process starts for YM Efficiency container salvage operation

Published 09/08/2019

AMSA has taken the next step in the ongoing battle to clean-up containers lost overboard from the YM Efficiency by announcing a tender for salvage operations.

24 seafarers rescued off the coast of Western Australia

Published 16/07/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the successful rescue of 24 seafarers from a Japanese fishing vessel that caught alight off the coast of Perth.

Container loss from the cargo ship APL England

Published 26/05/2020

This morning, a team of AMSA surveyors boarded the Singapore-flagged container ship APL England.

April 2020 incident report

Published 22/05/2020

Nine serious incidents were reported to us in April.

New safety sticker available

Published 20/05/2020

From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new requirements for passenger safety.

Australian Maritime Labour Convention annual report

Published 15/05/2020

We are pleased to present the first Australian Maritime Labour Convention annual report.

2019 Port State control annual report

Published 15/05/2020

The 2019 Port State control annual report is now available.

Working Boats issue 19—Community

Published 15/05/2020

Working Boats is a quarterly magazine about Australia’s commercial maritime industry.

Five-week coastal clean-up completed

Published 08/05/2020

We’ve completed our subsea operations, with the successful recovery of 63 YM Efficiency containers off the Newcastle coast.

Shutdown of AMSA’s differential global positioning system (DGPS) service

Published 05/05/2020

We have issued a marine notice to inform vessel owners, operators and masters of the shutdown of AMSA’s radio beacon differential global positioning system (DGPS) service from 1 July 2020.

People looking out from the shore at Port Moresby and a containment boom

2020 edition of the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies

Published 01/05/2020

We have published the 2020 edition of the National Plan.

Container waste video unveiled

Published 01/05/2020

Our footage of subsea robotic equipment prising containers apart and lifting them out of the ocean, is now available for viewing.

Email scam alert

Published 30/04/2020

An email message claiming to be sent by AMSA about invoices is being circulated.

March 2020 incident report

Published 28/04/2020

Find out about the incidents that were reported to us during March.

Container salvage daily updates and new image gallery now live

Published 24/04/2020

We’ve passed the halfway mark on the massive container salvage off the Newcastle-Port Stephens Coast.

Safety alert—information for coastal pilots and pilotage providers

Published 14/04/2020

Information for coastal pilots and pilotage providers about safety during the COVID-19 period.

AMSA update—April 2020 edition

Published 08/04/2020

Read our April edition of AMSA update.

First YM Efficiency container retrieval

Published 07/04/2020

The subsea lift of the first container took place on 6 April using a hydraulic crane and rigging, remote underwater vehicles and a specially manufactured steel basket.

APL England incident update

Published 10/07/2020

On the 24th of May 2020 the container ship APL England enroute from China to Melbourne experienced...

We want your feedback about Cape Leeuwin lighthouse heritage management plan

Published 05/06/2020

Tell us what you think about our draft heritage management plan for Cape Leeuwin lighthouse.

We want your feedback about Eddystone Point lighthouse heritage management plan

Published 04/06/2020

Tell us what you think about our draft heritage management plan for the Eddystone Point lighthouse.

APL England shipping container loss - Update 5

Published 29/05/2020

Charges have been laid against the master of the APL England, which lost about 50 containers...

Which lifejacket do I need?

Published 28/05/2020

On 18 May, a 48-year-old seafarer was lost overboard the fishing trawler, K-Vern, during ...

APL England shipping container loss – Update 4

Published 28/05/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) detained the APL England in the Port of Brisbane...

APL England container loss – Update 3

Published 27/05/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is investigating the loss of 40 containers from the...

APL England container loss – Update 2

Published 26/05/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) boarded the Singapore-flagged container ship APL...

Container loss from the cargo ship APL England

Published 26/05/2020

This morning, a team of AMSA surveyors boarded the Singapore-flagged container ship APL England.

APL England shipping container loss off New South Wales—Update 1

Published 25/05/2020

AMSA is responding to an incident involving the loss of about 40 containers overboard from the...

AMSA responding to loss of containers from ship off NSW Coast

Published 24/05/2020

At about 10.45am AEST this morning, Sunday 24 May, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)...

AMSA urges crew to wear lifejackets after trawler tragedy

Published 22/05/2020

AMSA strongly urges commercial vessel operators and crew to wear lifejackets while working on the...

April 2020 incident report

Published 22/05/2020

Nine serious incidents were reported to us in April.

New safety sticker available

Published 20/05/2020

From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new...

AMSA inspectors to attend man overboard vessel

Published 19/05/2020

At about 3.30am AEST on Monday 18 May a crew member on board the fishing trawler K Vern was lost...

2019 Port State control annual report

Published 15/05/2020

The 2019 Port State control annual report is now available.

Working Boats issue 19—Community

Published 15/05/2020

Working Boats is a quarterly magazine about Australia’s commercial maritime industry.