NEW marine repor ts and guides
Six leading trends influencing the Australian domestic fleet highlighted in new AMSA report The Australian Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA) has released its report, “New build trends in Australia’s domestic fleet 2023-2024”, featuring the latest innovations in vessel design, materials and certification shaping the industry and highlighting the six latest leading trends influencing the domestic fleet.
According to AMSA, in the past financial year it certified 1,445 new domestic commercial vessels, supporting sectors
from offshore energy and aquaculture to tourism and transport. The report highlights several key developments, including the rise of larger, more specialised vessels, increasing interest in autonomous technologies and the use of new materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The adoption of alternative fuels is also emerging as a strong trend, pointing to a greener future for the domestic fleet. Trend 1 – Gazettal of offshore wind farm areas
A significant trend within Australia is the gazettal of coastal waters to support the development of the offshore wind farm industry. With its potential for large-scale, reliable energy production, this emerging industry may become a key pillar in Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy.
The establishment of offshore wind farms is poised to generate substantial economic benefits including thousands of jobs across construction, operations, and maintenance along with supply chain opportunities such as vessel manufacturing. Whilst wind farm vessels are not a significant part of the current fleet, economic activity within the energy sector is likely to drive significant investment into new wind farm vessel construction in the future. Developing and operating offshore wind farms requires specialised vessels and maritime expertise.
Wind farms are commonly located in offshore waters with demanding environmental conditions. This creates an opportunity for the domestic fleet, driving investment into purpose-built vessels, including service operation vessels (SOVs) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs).
Trend 2 – Large vessels and superyachts
A growing number of large vessels are choosing the national system. In 2023-24 this included the MinRes Coolibah, MinRes Airlie (123.8m), a significant number of superyachts, and approximately 20 new ocean-going tugs. Operators are increasingly recognising the benefits of the Marine Safety National Law Act 2012 (the National Law)—particularly the more flexible crewing arrangements—compared to the Navigation Act 2012.
A key initiative was the introduction of Exemption 49 (Ex49), which simplifies the process for vessels previously operating under the Navigation Act 2012 to obtain domestic certification.
Furthermore, under EX49, eligible vessels do not need to re-demonstrate compliance with the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), provided they continue to meet the standards previously applicable under the Navigation Act 2012. This policy directly addresses challenges faced by larger vessels, such as limitations in domestic slipping infrastructure, by reducing friction when a vessel changes between regulatory systems to undertake international maintenance voyages
Trend 3 – Autonomous technologies
The National Law framework provides flexible pathways that support innovation across Australia’s maritime sector. The growing interest in autonomous technologies has led to a diverse range of applications under the National Law. Notable examples include the PBAT Sentinel, EMAPS, the Anduril Ghost Shark XLarge USV, ASV DRIX 17, along with numerous others. During 2023-24, AMSA approved operation of approximately 30 autonomous vessels under the National Law.
54 | ISSUE 113 | SEP 2025 | THE REPORT
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