Shipping Fairways NW Australia Discussed at AMSA Meeting

The third meeting of the Navigation Safety Advisory Group (NSAG) recently met to consider safety of navigation concerns in Australian waters.

(NSAG is the peak consultative body for matters relating to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's (AMSA) responsibilities for the safety of navigation in Australian waters).

The meeting attracted 24 navigation practitioners and representatives from the Australian Hydrographic Service, port and state marine authorities, industry peak bodies, shipping companies and marine pilots.

One of the developments discussed at the meeting was the newly established network of shipping fairways in the North-West region. After extensive consultation with industry, and in collaboration with the West Australian Department of Transport, a network of shipping fairways is being established off the north-west coast of Australia. The fairways aim to reduce the risk of collision between transiting vessels and offshore infrastructure. They are intended to direct larger vessels along pre-defined routes that will keep them clear of existing and planned offshore infrastructure.

The group dealt with other safety of navigation matters in two sessions. The morning session focused on shipboard navigation issues, including progress with the IMO-led development of e-navigation, outcomes from the 58th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, discussion on vulnerabilities of the Global Navigation Satellite System, concerns with regard to the carriage of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), hydrographic matters, North East Shipping Management Plan and AMSA’s on-going technical cooperation program.

The afternoon discussion included AMSA’s management of its aids to navigation network including the next maintenance tender, new and altered aids, vessel tracking and pilotage matters, Navigation Symposium 2013, highlights from relevant IALA meetings and the upcoming IALA training seminars and Aids to Navigation Management Committee meeting in Australia in November.