News and media releases

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

Australia bans bulk carrier Agia Sofia for underpaying seafarers

Published 27/07/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has today banned the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Agia Sofia from Australian ports for six months.

multi-coloured shipping containers against a blue ocean backdrop

AMSA launches campaign targeting container ships

Published 22/07/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is launching a focused inspection campaign targeting cargo securing arrangements on container ships visiting Australian ports.

Ship Navios Unite loses three containers off Cape Leeuwin, WA

Published 26/06/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is responding to an incident involving the loss of about three shipping containers from the Liberian-flagged container ship, Navios Unite.

APL England container loss – Update

Published 19/06/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has today released APL England to allow the ship to sail from Australia to undertake repairs in China.

Decision to ban vessel from Australian ports affirmed by AAT

Published 18/06/2020

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) decision to ban the Panama flagged bulk carrier Fortune Genius from entering or using an Australian port for a period of 12 months has been affirmed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

APL England container loss update

Published 15/06/2020

AMSA has issued a direction ordering the owner of APL England to search for missing containers that were lost from their vessel off New South Wales last month.

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 overboard off Sydney on Sunday. The offences relate to pollution and/or damage of the Australian marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading.

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 last night.

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 Singapore-flagged container ship APL England during heavy seas off Sydney on Sunday, 24 May 2020.

APL England container loss – Update 2

Published 26/05/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) boarded the Singapore-flagged container ship APL England at the Port of Brisbane anchorage (off Port Cartwright) today following an incident involving the loss of 40 containers overboard during heavy seas on Sunday.

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 Singapore-flagged container ship APL England off the New South Wales coastline.

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) received notification that a container ship had lost cargo overboard off the NSW coast.

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 decks of their vessels.

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 overboard in heavy seas off the Sunshine Coast.

Industry reminded to get on board with float-free EPIRBs

Published 11/05/2020

Fourteen commercial fishermen and divers lost their lives after their vessels capsized in Australian waters between 2015-2017. None of these commercial vessels had a means of automatically alerting search and rescue authorities to their unfolding plight.

Container recovery operation a complete success

Published 08/05/2020

The AMSA led operation to recover containers lost from the YM Efficiency off the NSW coast is complete.

September incident report

Published 25/11/2020

Read about the incidents reported to us in September.

Maritime mental health awareness training online

Published 23/11/2020

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network are now offering Maritime Mental Health Awareness Training online.

Don’t wait to order your float-free EPIRB

Published 23/11/2020

Some domestic commercial vessel operators have advised that they are having difficulties in procuring a float-free EPIRB.

New National Safety Committee focuses on safer vessels and operations

Published 16/11/2020

We have established a National Safety Committee, bringing together a network of peak bodies and industry representatives from across the maritime sector to focus on improving safety outcomes nationally.

Every passenger counts—join us for an online information session

Published 11/11/2020

Now open for registrations.

Every passenger counts— focused inspection campaign

Published 11/11/2020

To support the recent changes to keep passengers safe on domestic commercial vessels, we will be conducting a focused inspection campaign to assist operators with ensuring that they are meeting the requirements.

Side view of the challenger looking from the nose to the back

Search and rescue incidents of 2019-20

Published 10/11/2020

Read about the search and rescue incidents that we have attended in the last year.

Find out about how to operate your tender safely

Published 05/11/2020

Tenders come in all shapes and sizes and can perform a range of different roles from passenger transport to marina maintenance.

Response to MV Barkly Pearl

Published 03/11/2020

Watch the video of the Marshall Islands flagged livestock carrier MV Barkly Pearl which sustained damage to its hull and was successfully brought into the Port of Geraldton..

Don’t wait—high demand anticipated in 2021 and 2022 for STCW training courses and medical fitness

Published 02/11/2020

Due to amendments to the STCW Convention in 2017, over 10,000 AMSA issued STCW certificates will be due for renewal in early 2022.

Every passenger counts—online information sessions

Published 27/10/2020

The new requirements for passenger vessels came into effect on the 31 May 2020.

Watch the video now—Every passenger counts

Published 21/10/2020

The new requirements for passenger vessels came into effect on the 31 May 2020. You can now watch a short video that explains some of the changes.

Marine incident data helping to improve maritime safety

Published 20/10/2020

We compile summaries of the vessel incidents that have been reported to us.

AMSA safety alert— Float-free EPIRBs—New requirements commencing 1 January 2021

Published 20/10/2020

This safety alert aims to raise awareness of the need for owners, operators, masters and crew of certain domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) to install a float-free emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) before 1 January 2021.

New shipping forum focuses on future maritime outlook

Published 16/10/2020

We have announced the establishment of a national Shipping Consultative Forum

Some online application forms are temporarily unavailable

Published 06/10/2020

Some of our our online application forms are currently unavailable.

Focused inspection campaign—float-free EPIRBs

Published 19/01/2021

Over the period of 1 February to 30 April 2021, marine inspectors will be conducting an inspection...

The latest edition of AMSA Update is now available

Published 30/11/2020

Read the November AMSA Update

Heritage plan for the 1881 Montague Island lighthouse

Published 26/11/2020

We have prepared this plan to integrate the heritage values of the lightstation in accordance with...

Maximum period of shipboard service for seafarers during COVID-19 pandemic

Published 26/11/2020

Marine notice 10/2020 supersedes 04/2020, outlining seafarer repatriation requirements during the...

September incident report

Published 25/11/2020

Read about the incidents reported to us in September.

Maritime mental health awareness training online

Published 23/11/2020

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network are now offering Maritime Mental Health...

Don’t wait to order your float-free EPIRB

Published 23/11/2020

Some domestic commercial vessel operators have advised that they are having difficulties in...

AMSA coordinates multi-agency response to medical emergency

Published 18/11/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully coordinated the medical evacuation...

New National Safety Committee focuses on safer vessels and operations

Published 16/11/2020

We have established a National Safety Committee, bringing together a network of peak bodies and...

Seafarers return to pre-covid 19 contracts

Published 16/11/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has announced that from 28 February 2021 the...

Every passenger counts— focused inspection campaign

Published 11/11/2020

To support the recent changes to keep passengers safe on domestic commercial vessels, we will be...

Every passenger counts—join us for an online information session

Published 11/11/2020

Now open for registrations.

Search and rescue incidents of 2019-20

Published 10/11/2020

Read about the search and rescue incidents that we have attended in the last year.

AMSA orders cargo ship Brio Faith to repatriate seafarers who have been onboard for up to 20 months with no leave

Published 05/11/2020

Nine Chinese and Filipino seafarers, some who have been on board their Panama-flagged cargo ship...

Find out about how to operate your tender safely

Published 05/11/2020

Tenders come in all shapes and sizes and can perform a range of different roles from passenger...

AMSA response to damaged ship to avoid environmental impacts

Published 03/11/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully brought a damaged vessel into the...

Response to MV Barkly Pearl

Published 03/11/2020

Watch the video of the Marshall Islands flagged livestock carrier MV Barkly Pearl which sustained...