PORTS Australia has published an updated version of the Australian Port Marine Safety Management Guidelines.
The guidelines aim to promote the implementation of good practice standards in the conduct of safe and efficient marine operations in commercial ports.
The document covers ports, pilotage, towage, vessel traffic services, aids to navigation, hydrography, dangerous goods and sustainability.
Ports Australia said its Port Operations and Innovation Working Group subcommittee for the APMSMG has been revising the document over the past nine months.
Port Operations and Innovation Working Group chair John Finch said the guidelines are important for protecting life, property and infrastructure and preventing injury and impacts to marine and terrestrial environments around ports.
“These guidelines are there to guide ports on how their policies and procedures can support such safe operations,” Mr Finch said.
Ports Australia policy and operations director Margie Barbouttis said the guidelines address safety and efficiency as essential components to port sustainability.
“Ports Australia is pleased that the expertise within the membership has come together once again to develop a significant resource that will aid the sector in the iterative process of sustainability,” she said.
The guidelines offer a framework for the development of an appropriate port marine safety management system and a template for the development of policies and procedures relating to port operations.
Ports Australia said it will review the guidelines every three years.
