New measures to shine a light on temporary coastal trading licences

The Australian Government is increasing the transparency of temporary coastal trading licensing decisions, an important step in supporting a viable domestic shipping industry. 

Coastal trading is the movement of cargo or passengers for commercial purposes on vessels between ports in different states and territories in Australia. The Australian Government regulates this trade by granting licences enabling vessels to engage in coastal trading.

Greater detail on delegate decisions, including useful data on the numbers of temporary licences granted, cargo types, load ports and discharge ports will now be published quarterly. 

This information will assist stakeholders to respond to temporary licence applications, informing decision makers about the impact on a business or service offering of granting a temporary coastal trading licence.

Quarterly reports are available for review at www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/maritime/maritime-business/coastal-trading. 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: 

“Improving the transparency of decision-making under Australia’s Coastal Trading Act is one of many actions the Albanese Government is taking to revitalise Australia’s maritime sector. 

“We’ve launched our Strategic Fleet pilot program which is currently open for tender; our review of the Coastal Trading Act and Shipping Registration Act is underway; and we’ve introduced new maritime skills and training initiatives to strengthen maritime in Australia.”