Australian Shipping Board
1 January 1946 – 1956
Commonwealth board that owned and operated the Commonwealth's merchant fleet on the Australian coast after the Second World War, and carried on marine salvage.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 January 1946 in Melbourne, taking over the functions of the wartime Commonwealth Marine Salvage Board, including marine salvage, and the management of Commonwealth-owned and requisitioned merchant ships; it was constituted as a statutory body to own and operate the Commonwealth's merchant ships by the Shipping Act 1949.
- Marine salvage
Legislation: Shipping Act 1949
Changes during its life
- 1949The Shipping Act 1949 constituted the Board as a statutory body to own and operate the Commonwealth's merchant ships.
How it ended
Abolished in 1956 by the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission Act 1956, its fleet passing to the new Australian Coastal Shipping Commission (Australian National Line).
- Commonwealth merchant fleet and coastal shipping services
Main functions
- Operation of Commonwealth-owned merchant ships
- Allocation of cargo and shipping space
- Ownership of ships built under the Commonwealth shipbuilding programme
- Marine salvage
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Shipping and Transport.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.