Maritime Transport Policy Centre
The Maritime Transport Policy Centre (MTPC) facilitates research into maritime policy. It was established in January 2008 in Launceston, Tasmania within the Australian Maritime College, an institute of the University of Tasmania.
Its role is to provide independent advice to governments and the maritime industry on maritime transport policy and related issues. To achieve its brief, the MTPC consults widely with government and industry; it conducts and facilitates political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental analysis. The MTPC uses the experience, knowledge and skills of AMC and UTAS staff, as well drawing on its wide-ranging national and international maritime industry, government and academic networks for support. This ensures its work is contemporary and relevant.
Recent work
- International policy solutions to the shortage of seafarer skills;
- Policies and support mechanisms for national flag shipping in the EU and OECD;
- Application of licensing policies to port towage operators.
Current projects
- The Victorian Maritime Threat and Error Management Project - Auditing Crew Competency for Risk Assessment. A pilot project to investigate marine safety issues confronting ports and marine pilots arising from the navigation of commercial vessels in port waters. Dr Benjamin Brooks (AMC) – Chief Investigator, Dr Matthew Thomas (University of South Australia) and Associate Professor John Francis (AMC). This research project has been funded by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Transport Safety Victoria. We are also very grateful for the support of Captain Robert Buck and Port Phillip Sea Pilots for their pivotal role in this research.
- An OH&S investigation into how training and regulation can be improved to reduce the incidence of falls from heights on board ships. Mr Tony Boyle – Chief Investigator, Dr Ben Brooks, Mr Noel Frichot and Mr Stephen Hurd. The project has been funded by the Maritime Union of Australia.
- A preliminary assessment of the vulnerability of Australian ports to climate change;
Prospective areas of research
- An investigation of the broad policy settings necessary for increasing investment in the maritime industry.
Events
November 2010 – The second of the maritime practice and policy seminars, jointly conducted with Messrs Holman Fenwick Willan, solicitors, will be held in both Sydney and Melbourne at the end of November – further details will be available shortly.
August 27, 2010 - Maritime Transport Policy Centre in association with Holman Fenwick Willan, is conducting a one day seminar in Canberra on Friday 27 August 2010. The programme will provide senior executives involved in international trade with a review of some major risks associated with international trade and commercial opportunities for Australian shipping.
Specialist international maritime and trade lawyers, Gavin Vallely and Stephen Thompson from Holman Fenwick Willan, will co-host the event with John Francis from AMC. This will be the first in a series of such seminars.
The seminar will commence with a keynote lecture from the President of the NSW Court of Appeal, The Hon. Justice James Allsop entitled “Constitutional and Governmental structure for Australian shipping”. This will be followed by Mr Peter Mannion, General Manager Operations – Marine for Rio Tinto, who will address delegates on “Opportunities for Australian Shipping”.
Following the formal presentations, four seminar topics will be addressed by AMC and HFW representatives as follows:
- Contractual risks in charterparties, bills of lading and insurance contracts arising from FOB and CFR export contracts.
- Risks arising under Forward Freight Agreements – including netting off, counterparty default and dispute resolution clauses.
- Quarantine risks inherent in certain import contracts.
- The application of the Trade Practices Act to Australian trading and shipping contracts – including innocent misrepresentation as a cause of action.
Please email any inquiries to B.Lewarn@amc.edu.au
