Ships
Ship operators must have and comply with ship security plans, as required by the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003.
Regulated Australian ships are also required to comply the security plans of other maritime industry participants.
Regulated Australian ships
A regulated Australian ship must have an approved ship security plan (SSP). Regulated Australian ships include:
- passenger ships used for overseas voyages, including a ship that carries 13 or more passengers
- Australian ships that are capable of, or being used to carry, both passengers and vehicles for interstate voyages
- cargo ships of 500GT or greater, used for overseas voyage, including:
- bulk carriers
- tankers
- multi-purpose vessels
- container ships
- ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off vehicles, cargos) ships
- reefer (refrigerated cargo) vessels
- mobile offshore drilling units that are on an overseas voyage.
Ship security plan
SSPs must:
- address the risks and vulnerabilities identified through a security assessment process
- set out the security measures and procedures to control the risks
- set out additional security measures and procedures to be implemented at heightened maritime security levels.
International ship security certificates
Regulated Australian ships must hold an International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) to visit security regulated ports outside of Australia.
An ISSC verifies that the ship is compliant with international obligations under the Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1914 (SOLAS) and International Ship and Port Facility Code 2003 (ISPS).
To obtain an ISSC, a ship operator must:
- have a valid SSP
- be ISSC verified.
For a ship to be ISSC verified, a maritime security inspector needs to inspect the ship to make sure that it meets the regulatory requirements.
Exemptions and applications
A ship operator may apply in writing to be exempt from the requirement to have an ISSC in certain circumstances. To discuss ISSC exemptions and applications, email national.coordinator@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Offences
It is an offence for a regulated Australian ship to:
- operate without a valid SSP in force
- be used for maritime transport without an ISSC, interim ISSC or ISSC exemption in force.
Declaration of security
A regulated Australian ship may be required to provide or agree to a declaration of security with a port operator, port facility operator, offshore facility operator or another party (a ship or person). A declaration of security identifies security activities and responsibilities for security measures that each party will undertake or implement in specified circumstances.
Regulated foreign ships
Ship operators of a regulated foreign ship must comply with international and Australian maritime security requirements.
Find out more about Foreign ships.
