All those interested in the future of Australia's maritime industry now have the chance to have a say on the final shape of the regulatory regime which will replace 50 different pieces of state and territory based legislation with one set of modern, nation-wide laws.

Under historic reforms championed by the Gillard Labor Government, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will from 2013 become the national regulator of all commercial vessels, not just those involved in interstate and international trade.

Over the next couple of months officials from AMSA will conduct the following series of industry and public consultations:

I invite all parts of the industry to participate in these consultation forums and help the Government build an even stronger and safer maritime industry - essential to the ongoing economic development of our vast island continent.

Each year some 3,500 cargo vessels as well as more than 200 oil tankers and chemical carriers navigate through Australian waters.

The creation of a national system for maritime safety will lift standards and by establishing consistent design, construction and certification requirements reduce the regulatory burden faced by shipping operators.

Currently operators need separate certificates from the maritime authorities in each state and territory.

For more information about the consultation process, go to: www.amsa.gov.au.