04 May 2026 / Australia

New safety requirements for lifting equipment

From May 1, 2026, new safety requirements for lifting appliances and anchor-handling winches apply in Australia to ensure properly testing, maintenance and operation and reduce risks to crew and vessel operations.

Owners and operators of regulated Australian vessels and foreign-flagged vessels operating in Australian waters, and seafarers and crew must:

  • ensure lifting appliances, anchor-handling winches and associated equipment meet updated SOLAS requirements
  • have testing and examinations carried out by a defined competent person
  • comply with updated requirements for safe working load marking and equipment testing.

The requirements apply to all vessels, regardless of build date.

The changes implement updated international obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

For further details and information about operations in Australia, contact GAC at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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