Following four years of reforms in the Maritime Sector, a new independent government owned entity has been formed to regulate the maritime sector of Vanuatu. The office of the Maritime Regulator to operate as “Vanuatu Maritime Regulator” or VMR came into existence on the 1st of July 2017 under the provisions of its enabling legislation; the maritime sector regulatory Act No. 26 of 2016. The main responsibilities include,

1) Impose a maritime safety regime throughout Vanuatu which ensures the safety of Vessels and their crews and passenger, and which complies with all applicable international Conventions and obligations

2) Ensure the effective regulation of ports and port facilities through the promotion of efficient and safe port operations and the protection of rights of port uses to access ports and port facilities on fair and equitable terms

3) Enshrine the principles of independence and best practice in relation to regulation of the maritime sector; and

4) Promote the security of shipping and port operations, and to facilitate compliance with all security related aspects of applicable international maritime conventions.