Ports Overview
The Commission is the economic regulator for six commercial ports
in South Australia. Economic regulation applies only to 'proclaimed ports',
under the Maritime Services (Access) Act 2000 (MSA Act).
The following six ports have been proclaimed:
- Port Adelaide;
- Port Giles;
- Wallaroo;
- Port Pirie;
- Port Lincoln and
- Thevenard
Flinders Ports Pty Ltd operates the ports listed above.
The Commission does not have a role in other ports. For matters in relation
to another port, see Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
The Maritime Services (Access) Act 2000 is committed to the Minister
for Infrastructure. It came into operation on 31 October 2001 and provides for
access to SA ports and maritime services on fair commercial terms and to
regulate the price of essential maritime services. Essential maritime services
are declared to be regulated industries for the purpose of the Essential Services Commission Act 2002.
The Commission regulates three types of port services:
- Essential Maritime Services - subject to price regulation with price
monitoring;
- Regulated Services - subject to the ports access regime; and
- Maritime Services - a broader grouping of services subject to a range of
review and notification processes, including:
- Notification of changes in pilotage charges;
- development of service standards as appropriate and
- keeping maritime industries under review to determine whether regulation is
required.
The Commission will release publications in relation to ports regulation,
inviting comment from interested parties where appropriate.