Maritime safety and pollution

The safety and protection of our marine environment and the management of ship-sourced pollution is a shared responsibility of the Australian Government and each state and territory.

In Queensland, shipping legislation is controlled by Maritime Safety Queensland, a branch of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. It protects Queensland's waterways and the people who use them—providing safer, cleaner seas.

Maritime Safety Queensland is responsible for:

• improving maritime safety for shipping and small craft through regulation and education
• minimising vessel-sourced waste and responding to marine pollution
• providing essential maritime services such as aids to navigation and vessel traffic services
• encouraging and supporting innovation in the maritime industry.

Queensland's ports work with Maritime Safety Queensland, through the appropriate Regional Harbour Master, to manage the safe and efficient operation of our ports.