Australia grants exemption to large cruise vessels from Coastal Trading Act regulations

Eda Zenic -

The Australian Government has issued a directive under Section 11 of the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012.

The directive specifies that the Act does not apply to certain cruise vessels, effectively providing them with an exemption from its regulations.

Details of the Exemption:

  • Eligibility Criteria for Vessels:
    • Gross Tonnes: The vessel must be over 5,000 gross tonnes.
    • Speed: The vessel must be capable of traveling at a speed of at least 15 knots.
    • Passenger Capacity: The vessel must be able to carry at least 100 passengers.
    • Usage: The vessel must be used predominantly for transporting passengers between ports within Australia or its territories. However, it cannot be used for routes specifically between Victoria and Tasmania.

Effective Dates:

  • This exemption is applicable from January 1, 2025, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.

Registration and Authorization:

  • The directive was registered on August 19, 2024, and is authorized under the registered version F2024L01027.