Maritime Transport Policy Centre

About the Centre

The 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

• A study to identify policy settings for regional ports to construct competitive advantage in local innovation systems;
• A preliminary assessment of the vulnerability of Australian ports to climate change;
• The Seafarer Survey Series, which is designed to produce longitudinal data by surveying the opinions of students attending seafarer courses at AMC to identify issues of importance to maritime policy makers.

Prospective areas of research

• An investigation of the broad policy settings necessary for increasing investment in the maritime industry;
• Identification of the policy settings necessary to lift the corporate veil on ownership of commercial vessels.