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Uniform Shipping Laws Code
What is the USL Code?
The Uniform Shipping Laws Code (USL Code) provides standards for the design, construction and operation of domestic commercial vessels. The Code was first published in 1979 in response to the need for a common national safety standard for commercial vessels.
How is the USL Code applied?
Domestic commercial vessels are regulated by the marine safety agencies in each of the states and the Northern Territory. Each jurisdiction has legislation that calls up the USL Code either in its entirety or as modified by that jurisdiction. Different editions of the USL Code are applied in different jurisdictions.
See Legislated Standards -> Commercial Vessels for more information on the Combined USL/NSCV 2008.
Where can I get the original Uniform Shipping Laws Code and the amendments?
This document was formerly printed and distributed by the Australian Government Information Shops. This service ceased operations on 17 October 2003. Remaining copies of the USL Code can now be purchased from the NMSC. Click here for an order form
As a service, the NMSC also offer electronic versions of the USL Code for downloading. By clicking on this link you will be taken to a disclaimer note about these electronic files. By clicking on the "I Agree" link you will be taken to a screen with all of the available files for downloading. If you click on "I Disagree" you will be returned to this page.
