Legislation
Maritime Legislation
Papua New Guinea’s maritime sector is governed by a comprehensive framework of national laws and international conventions. NMSA is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of these instruments.
Primary Legislation
| Instrument | Purpose |
|---|---|
| National Maritime Safety Authority Act 2003 | Establishes NMSA and its regulatory powers |
| Merchant Shipping Act 1975 | Primary legislation for merchant shipping in PNG |
| Navigation Act | Governs navigation safety and aids |
| Marine Pollution Act | Addresses marine pollution prevention and response |
| PNG Maritime Security Act | Maritime security framework |
| Small Craft Act | Regulations for small vessels |
International Conventions
Papua New Guinea is a signatory to these key IMO conventions:
| Convention | Full title |
|---|---|
| SOLAS | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea |
| MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
| STCW | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping |
| SAR | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue |
| COLREG | Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea |
| Load Lines | International Convention on Load Lines |
| Tonnage | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships |
Maritime Levies & Fees
The following is a schedule of levies and fees applicable to maritime services administered by NMSA.
All fees are in Papua New Guinea Kina (PGK). Fees are subject to change. Contact NMSA for the most up-to-date schedule.
Compliance Requirements
All vessel owners and operators in PNG waters must comply with applicable national legislation and international conventions. In general this means:
- Registering the vessel on the PNG Ship Register and keeping the certificate of registry current.
- Completing an initial survey before registration and annual surveys thereafter.
- Crewing the vessel with appropriately certificated seafarers.
- Carrying and maintaining the required safety and pollution-prevention equipment.
- Paying the applicable maritime levies and service fees.