Assent: 10 September 1999
Commencement: 25 June 2007

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

PORTS (AMENDMENT) ACT NO. 11 of 1999

Arrangement of Sections
1. Amendment of section 1
2. Repeal and substitution of new sections
3. Commencement.

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REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

PORTS (AMENDMENT) ACT NO. 11 of 1999

An Act to amend the Ports Act [CAP 26] (the “Principal Act”).

BE IT ENACTED by the President and Parliament as follows:

AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1

1. Section 1 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following definition in the appropriate alphabetical position:

“port of entry” means any of the ports listed in subsection 2(1);

REPEAL AND SUBSTITUTION OF NEW SECTIONS 

2. Section 2 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following sections are substituted:

“PORTS OF ENTRY

2. (1) The following ports are the ports of entry for Vanuatu:

Port Vila;
Luganville;
Lenakel;
Loltong;
Sola;
Anelcauhat;
Litzlitz.

The master of a vessel entering Vanuatu from a foreign port must report first to the customs authorities at the vessel’s port of entry.

(3) A vessel leaving Vanuatu for a foreign port must be cleared from a port of entry by customs authorities.

ALL VESSELS HAVE RIGHT TO SERVICE PORTS OF ENTRY

2A. (1) All vessels, including vessels that are foreign owned or registered outside Vanuatu, have the right to service all ports of entry, including for the transport of goods and passengers.

(2) However, a foreign owned vessel or a vessel registered outside Vanuatu must appoint and maintain a shipping agent in Port Vila who is registered in Vanuatu, and there must be in force in respect of the vessel the following:

(a) a licence (temporary or annual) under the Business Licence Act No. 19 of 1998;

(b) all relevant certificates of seaworthiness and certificates of compliance with international safety standards;

(c) adequate insurance to cover goods and passengers (including full personal property and indemnity coverage), salvage and wreck removal, and pollution liability.

(3) Copies of the documents mentioned in subsection (2) must be available:

(a) on board a vessel; and

(b) at the office of the registered shipping agent in Port Vila.”.

COMMENCEMENT

3. This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.

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