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Australia extends Coastal Trading Act exemption to 2026

Cruise Lines International Association Australasia MD Joel Katz welcomed Australia's decision to extend an exemption to the Coastal Trading Act until December 31, 2026, allowing eligible cruise lines to continue carrying passengers between Australian ports.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

August 13, 2024

1 Min Read
Joel Katz CLIA Australasia
Joel Katz said advocacy from CLIA, cruise lines and key industry stakeholders led to the extended exemptionPHOTO: CLIA AUSTRALASIA

Katz said dropping the need for a licence to carry passengers to and from Australian ports provides clarity for cruise passengers, cruise lines and the Australian tourism industry.

CLIA advocacy

The extension of regulatory provisions follows advocacy from CLIA, cruise lines and key industry stakeholders.

Cruise ships made almost 1,400 port calls around Australia in 2022-23, creating an economic impact that supports more than 18,000 Australian jobs.

Upcoming review

Katz said CLIA and cruise lines look forward to participating in the Australian government’s upcoming review of the Coastal Trading Act, with a view to creating longer-term regulatory certainty for cruising in the region.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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