Ports Authority Act 1998

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1. Short title and commencement
2. Interpretation
3. Declaration of ports and approaches

4. Establishment of Authority
5. Membership of Authority
6. Term of office of Members
7. Remuneration

11. Meetings
12. Minutes of Meetings
13. Disclosure of Interest
14. Vacancy not to invalidate acts
15. Execution of documents, etc

16. Original Assets of the Authority
17. Transfer of other property to Authority
18. Transfer of employees

19. Appointment of General Manager
20. Powers of the General Manager
21. Appointment of Port Master and Deputy Port Masters
22. Powers of Port Master in relation to vessels
23. Fire on board vessels
24. Power to board vessels
25. Exclusion of liability
26. Staff of Authority

27. Disbursement of Authority funds
28. Investment of funds
29. Borrowing powers
30. Cabinet Approval for Borrowings and Expenditure
31. Annual estimates
32. Audit of accounts
33. Presentation of financial statements and audit reports
34. Other reports
35. Statement of accounts and other reports

36. Dues payable in respect of vessels
37. Dues payable in respect of goods
38. Persons liable for goods dues
39. Rates
40. Powers of entry on to vessels
41. Receipts
42. Lien on goods
43. Powers to sell or dispose of goods
44. Shipping clearance to be withheld, etc
45. Exemption, reduction, etc., of dues, rates, etc
46. Evasion

47. Compulsory pilotage
48. Exemptions from pilotage
49. Vessel to be piloted by a licensed Pilot
50. Authority to employ pilots
51. Dangerous goods

52. Obstructing Authority in the performance of its duty
53. False returns
54. False information as to tonnage, etc.
55. Wilful damage to port works and property
56. Offences in connection with safety of vessels, etc
57. Pollution of waters of a port

58. Master, owner, etc., answerable for damage
59. Powers of arrest
60. Power to compromise
61. Evidence of identity
62. Authorised employee of Authority may prosecute
63. Apparatus, etc., not subject to distress, etc
64. Regulations
65. No Effect to Shipping Act
66. Act to bind State
67. Repeals and savings

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in Parliament assembled as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement-(1) This Act may be cited as the Ports Authority Act 1998.

(2) This Act shall come into force upon publication by the Minister of a notice to that effect in the Gazette or Savali, and different dates may be appointed for the coming into force of different sections of this Act.

"Approaches to a port" means any area of navigable channel adjacent to a port so declared under the provisions of section 3:

"Authority pilot" means a pilot employed by the Authority pursuant to section 50:

"Buoy" includes a floating object of any size, shape and colour which is moored to the seabed and which serves as an aid to navigation or for other specific purposes:

"Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Authority appointed under section 5:

"Container" means a transportable, ISO standardised unit, designed for repeated use in the multi-modal transportation of goods and which is capable of being secured and moved by specialised equipment using standardised, in-built fittings:

"Dangerous Goods" means any goods or substances classified as dangerous goods by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; and also includes goods or substances declared to be dangerous goods pursuant to section 51:

"Dues" include port dues, light dues and wharfage dues levied under this Act, but does not include rates:

"General Manager" means the General Manager of the Authority appointed under section 19 and includes any person for the time being performing the functions of General Manager:

"Goods" includes animals, carcasses, baggage, personal effects, general cargo, containers, and any other movable property of any kind whatsoever:

"Harbour craft" means any vessel which is used within the port for any purpose:

"International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code" means the Code regulating the packaging, labelling, handling, storage, stowage separation and carriage by sea of dangerous goods as specified by that Code, as issued by the International Maritime Organisation, and as amended from time to time:

"Master" includes every person, except a pilot, having command or charge of any vessel:

"Member" means a member of the Authority appointed by the Head of State under the provisions of this Act:

"Marine navigational aid" means all buoys, beacons, marks, signs, lights and installation placed to assist marine navigation:

"Owner" when used in relation to goods, includes any person being or holding himself out to be the owner, importer, exporter, consignor, consignee, shipper or agent responsible for the sale, custody, loading, handling, discharge or delivery of such goods; and when used in relation to any vessel, includes every person acting as agent for the owner responsible for receiving freight or paying other charges in respect of the vessel and includes any part-owner, charterer, operator, or mortgagee in possession, or any duly authorised agent of any such person:

"Pilotage Area" means the area of any port and the approaches to any port declared under section 3. A boarding area may be designated by a pilot in any instance to be a place within a circle of five miles radius from the main wharf at a port, and in such an instance the pilotage area shall be deemed to extend to that place of boarding.

"Port" means any place in Samoa, and any navigable river or channel leading into such place, declared to be a port by or pursuant to section 3:

"Rates" means any rates or charges leviable by the Authority under this Act and includes any toll or rent, but does not include dues:

"Vessel" includes every description of ship, boat, ferry or craft used or capable of being used in navigation by water; and includes any floating rig or platform; but excludes a canoe or other craft of traditional build:

"Warehouse" includes any warehouse, shed or other building belonging to or under the control of the Authority in which goods may be lawfully placed:

"Wharf" includes a quay, pier, jetty, ramp or other similar landing place from or onto which passengers or goods may be taken on board of or landed from a vessel.

3. Declaration of ports and approaches-(1) The ports and approaches to ports covered by this Act shall be those areas so designated in the Schedule 1 and declared pursuant to subsection (2).

(2) The Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, may at any time by Order -

(a) Declare any place in Samoa and any navigable river or waters leading into such place to be a port within the meaning of this Act; and

(b) Declare any area or navigable river or channel adjacent to a port to be the approaches to such port within the meaning of this Act.

(3) Every declaration under subsection (2) shall define the limits of the port, or its approaches as the case may be.

4. Establishment of Authority-(1) There is hereby established an Authority to be called the Samoa Ports Authority which shall have the powers and functions conferred upon it by this Act.

(2) The Authority is a body corporate, capable of entering into contracts, acquiring, holding, disposing of real and personal property, suing and being sued; and doing and suffering all such other acts and things that bodies corporate may lawfully do and suffer.

5. Membership of Authority-(1) The Authority shall consist of the Minister, who shall be Chairperson, and six members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet.

(2) No person by reason only of being a member of the Authority, shall be deemed to be employed in the Public Service or in the "Service of Samoa" within the meaning of those terms as defined in Articles 83 and 111 respectively, of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa.

6. Term of Office of members-(1) Every member of the Authority shall hold office for a term of 5 years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one further term.

(2) A member may at any time resign from office by notice in writing to the Minister.

(3) The Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet may remove at any time a member of the Authority –

(c) If the member is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Authority without the prior approval of the Chairperson or Minister.

(4) If a member of the Authority dies, or resigns, or is removed from office, the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, may appoint another person in place of that member to hold office until such former member’s term of office would have expired had he or she not ceased to be a member.

(a) Not being full-time salaried employees of the Government of Samoa or of the Authority, may be paid out of the funds of the Authority, such remuneration and other allowances as the Cabinet may from time to time determine; and

(b) Shall be reimbursed out of the funds of the Authority for any expenses reasonably incurred by them in respect of their attendance at meetings of the Authority.

(a) The provision, management and maintenance of adequate and efficient port services, facilities and security in ports and approaches;

(b) The provision of any goods or the performance of any services to assist the Ministry in the exercise of a statutory function for which it may at its discretion enter into an agreement with the Ministry in respect of payment;

9. Powers of Authority-(1) Subject to this Act and any regulations made hereunder, the Authority shall have all the powers, rights and authorities necessary or expedient to enable it to exercise its functions.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Authority shall have the powers -

(a) To appoint and employ such persons as it may consider necessary for the efficient performance of its functions;

(b) To enter into any contract, covenant, bond or agreement of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of this Act;

(d) To carry on any business or activity whatsoever which appears to the Authority to be necessary or advantageous for the discharge of its functions;

(e) To acquire, hire, procure, construct, erect, manu-facture, provide, maintain or repair anything whatsoever required by the Authority for the purposes of this Act;

(i) berthing, unberthing, towing, mooring, unmooring, moving, or docking any vessel;

(ii) embarking or disembarking passengers to or from any vessel; including the provision of landing-places;

(iii) providing lighterage or to appoint, license and regulate lighterage operators;

(v) installing and maintaining navigation installations, but subject to the powers of the Secretary contained in the Shipping Act 1998;

(vi) sorting, weighing, measuring, storing, warehousing or otherwise handling any goods; and

(g) To appoint, license and regulate operators or suppliers of stevedores and other labour and equipment in a port;

(i) To acquire any undertaking, affording, or intending to afford facilities for the loading and discharging or warehousing of goods in a port or for the bunkering of vessels;

(j) To provide such fire and security services, both within a port or elsewhere, as may be deemed by the Authority necessary for the purpose of extinguishing fires and preserving life and property;

(k) To control construction and use of wharves, docks and other works, whether above or below the high water mark, within a port or the approaches to a port;

(l) Subject to the provisions of any other act or statutory requirement to reclaim, excavate, enclose or raise any part of any land vested in the Authority;

(ii) improving the equipment of the Authority and the manner in which such equipment is operated and maintained;

(n) To provide accommodation and recreational facilities for employees of the Authority and generally to promote their welfare;

(o) To establish, control, manage and maintain, or contribute to any provident fund or other super-annuation benefits approved by the Minister for the benefit of its employees or the dependents of deceased employees;

(p) To acquire such land and execute such works and do whatever may be necessary or expedient in respect of the functions of the Authority under the provisions of this Act or of any other enactment;

(q) To sell, transfer, lease, hire or otherwise dispose of any of its real or other property; and

(r) Subject to the provisions of this Act, to do every-thing necessary or convenient in connection with or incidental to the performance of its functions under this Act or any other enactment.

(3) The powers conferred by subsection (1) shall be in addition to and not in derogation from any other powers conferred upon the Authority by this Act or any other enactment.

10. Policy of Cabinet-(1) In the exercise of its functions and powers, the Authority shall have regard to the general policy of Cabinet as communicated in writing by the Minister.

(2) The Authority shall comply with any lawful written direction by the Minister concerning any matter relating to the policy to be followed by the Authority in the performance of its functions.

11. Meetings-(1) The Chairperson shall preside at every meeting of the Authority. In the absence of the Chairperson, the members shall appoint one of their members to be the Chairperson of that meeting.

(2) The first meeting of the Authority shall be held on a day and time and place to be appointed by the Chairperson and subsequent meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Authority may from time to time determine provided that not more than two months shall elapse between two consecutive meetings.

(3) The Chairperson shall, at the request of the General Manager or on the requisition in writing of any three members stating the business to be considered, within seven days of the receipt of such requisition, convene a special meeting.

(5) The proceedings at any meeting shall not be invalidated by any defect in the appointment of a member.

(6) Every decision at a meeting of the Authority shall be made by a majority of the members present.

(7) The Chairperson at any meeting shall have a deliberative vote and in the event of an equality of votes, shall have a casting vote.

(8) A resolution in writing signed or assented to by letter, telegram, telex, facsimile, e-mail, or cable by a majority of the members shall have the same effect and be as valid as if it had been duly passed at a meeting of the Authority.

(9) Subject to the provision of this Act, the Authority may regulate its meetings in such manner as it thinks fit.

12. Minutes of meetings-(1) The Authority shall cause minutes of all resolutions and proceedings of its regular and special meetings to be kept in a book provided for that purpose.

(2) The minutes shall be signed by the Chairperson of the next meeting subsequent to the passing thereof.

(3) A copy of the minutes of every meeting shall be furnished to every member before the next meeting.

13. Disclosure of interest - If a member has any pecuniary or other interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or proposed contract or in any other matter relating to the Authority, the member shall as soon as possible disclose to the Chairperson of the Authority the fact and nature of such interest and thereafter the member shall not take part in any deliberation or decision making relative to such contract or proposed contract or other matter.

14. Vacancy not to invalidate acts - No act or proceeding of the Authority shall be invalidated or questioned only on account of the existence of a vacancy in the membership of the Authority.

15. Execution of Documents, etc.-(1) The common seal of the Authority shall not be affixed except pursuant to a resolution of the Authority and in the presence of the Chairperson and one member, and such affixing shall be authenticated by the signature of such persons.

(2) All documents to which the Authority is a party, other than those required by law to be under seal, may be signed on behalf of the Authority by the Chairperson or the General Manager, or by any member or employee of the Authority, generally or specially authorised by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Authority.

16. Original assets of the Authority-(1) The original assets of the Authority shall consist of –

(a) All buildings, installations and improvements, located on or adjacent to or in the vicinity of the ports described in Schedule 1, which are in use by the Government at the date this Act comes into force for the maintenance and operation of any of those ports; and

(b) All vessels, vehicles, plant, machinery, equipment, stores, furniture and apparatus afloat or on shore which are in use by the Government for the maintenance and operation of any port at the date this Act comes into force.

(2) The assets referred to in subsection (1) are hereby vested in the Authority.

(3) The Government shall cause the land described in Schedule 3 to be transferred to the Authority forthwith upon this Act coming into force.

(4) If any question arises as to whether any asset has become or is the property or responsibility of the Authority, that question shall be decided by Cabinet.

17. Transfer of other property to Authority-(1) Real or other property, vested in or belonging to the Government, shall be transferred to the Authority to enable it to perform its functions under this Act as Cabinet may from time to time determine.

(2) Upon such transfer, all debts, liabilities and obligations in connection with or pertaining to such property shall also be transferred to and vest in the Authority and shall be deemed to have been incurred by the Authority.

(3) Land acquired by the Government under the Taking of Land Act 1964 for the purposes of this Act may be vested in the Authority.

18. Transfer of employees - Upon the coming into force of this Act, such persons, as the Minister may think fit, who were employed by the Government immediately prior to the commencement of this Act and were engaged in discharging any of the functions vested in the Authority by this Act, shall be deemed to be transferred to the service of the Authority on terms no less favourable than those they had enjoyed immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, and such terms which shall be determined by the Authority, shall take into account salaries and conditions of service enjoyed by them when in the employ of the Government.

Provided that nothing in this section shall preclude the secondment to the Authority of officers in the employment of the Government on such terms as may be agreed upon by the Government and the Authority.

19. Appointment of General Manager-(1) The Authority shall, with the approval of the Minister as to all matters in this section, appoint a General Manager for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions as it may think fit.

(2) The General Manager shall not be removed from office without the consent of the Minister.

(3) The General Manager shall devote the whole of his or her working time to the Authority and shall not, without the written approval of the Minister, occupy any other office or employment, whether remunerated or not, except that the General Manager may act as member of any board, committee or commission established by the Government.

(4) The Authority may delegate any or all of its powers and functions to the General Manager.

Provided that the foregoing provisions shall not prevent the exercise of any power or function by the Authority.

(a) Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, responsible to it for its management and the execution of its policy; and

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to any resolution passed at a meeting of the Authority do everything necessary or convenient to be done in connection with, or incidental to, the performance of his duties under this Act or any other written law and, in particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, he may -

(i) have the power, with the approval of the Board, to act in relation to or enter into any contracts on behalf of the Authority;

(ii) in any case of emergency, direct the execution of any work or the doing of any act which the Authority is empowered to execute and do and the immediate execution or doing of which is, in his or her opinion, necessary for the operation of port services or the safety of persons on vessels, and he or she may direct that the expense of executing that work or doing that act shall be paid from the funds of the Authority;

(iii) Provided that he shall report anything done under subparagraph (ii) to the next following meeting of the Authority.

(2) Whenever the General Manager is prevented by illness, absence or other like cause from performing his or her duties or when the office of the General Manager is vacant, the Authority may appoint one of its officers to perform his or her duties during such period as he or she is so prevented from doing or the office is vacant.

(3) The General Manager may from time to time by writing under his or her hand either generally or particularly, delegate to any officer or employee of the Authority as he or she thinks fit all or any of the powers he or she may exercise under this Act including any powers delegated by the Authority, but not including his or her power of delegation.

21. Appointment of Port Master and Deputy Port Masters-(1) The Authority shall appoint as one of its officers a Port Master for the purposes of this Act, and may also appoint as officers such number of Deputy Port Masters as it may consider necessary for all or any of the purposes of this Act.

(2) The term, remuneration and conditions of any appointment made under subsection (1) shall be determined by the Authority.

22. Powers of Port Master in relation to vessels-(1) Port Master may within a port or its approaches –

(a) Direct where any vessel shall be berthed, moored or anchored and the method of anchoring;

(b) Direct the removal of any vessel from any berth, wharf, terminal or anchorage and the time within which such removal is to be effected; and

(2) Any person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or neglects to obey or comply with any direction given under subsection (1) commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

(3) If any person to whom a directions given under sub-section (1) refuses or neglects to comply with such direction the Authority may, whether or not any proceedings have been instituted against any person for any offence, do or cause to be done all such acts as are in its opinion reasonable or necessary for the purpose of carrying out such compliance and may hire or employ such persons as it considers necessary for such purpose and all expenses incurred in doing such acts shall be paid or borne by or recoverable from the person to whom the direction was given.

23. Fire on board vessel-(1) In the event of fire breaking out on board a vessel in a port or the approaches to a port, the Port Master may proceed on board the vessel with such assistance and persons as the Port Master considers proper to prevent danger to other vessels, may give orders and take any other measures that he considers expedient for the protection of life and property.

(2) If such orders are not forthwith carried out by the master of any vessel to whom such orders are given, the Port Master may proceed to carry them into effect.

(3) All expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers of the Port Master under this section shall be recoverable from the master and owner of the vessel concerned.

(4) Any person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or neglects to obey or comply with any order given under subsection (1) commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

24. Power to board vessel-(1) The Port Master may go onboard any vessel within a port or the approaches to a port whenever the Port Master suspects that any offence against this Part has been or is about to be committed in any vessel, or whenever he considers it necessary to do so in the discharge of any duty imposed by this Act.

(2) The master of a vessel who, without lawful excuse, refuses to allow the Port Master to enter that vessel under his powers in subsection (1) commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

25. Exclusion of liability - The Authority shall not be liable for any act, omission or default of the Port Master.

26. Staff of Authority-(1) The Authority may from time to time appoint and employ on such terms and conditions as the Authority may determine such other officers and employees as may be necessary for the effective performance of its functions.

(2) The Authority may make rules, not inconsistent with this Act, for the manner of appointment, conduct and discipline and the terms and conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Authority.

(3) No officer or employee of the Authority shall be personally liable for any act done or omitted to be done in the exercise or performance or purported exercise or performance of the functions powers and duties of the Authority.

27. Disbursement of Authority funds-(1) As approved by the Board, the revenue of the Authority in any year shall be applied in payment of the following expenses in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles:-

(b) The sums required to be paid to the Government towards repayment of any loan made by the Government to the Authority;

(d) The salaries, fees, allowances, remuneration, provident fund and other superannuation benefits of the employees, agents and technical or other advisers of the Authority;

(e) The working of establishment expenses, and the expenditure on, or provision for the maintenance of any of the installations of the Authority, and the discharge of the functions of the Authority properly chargeable to the revenue accounts;

(f) Such sums as the Authority may consider appropriate to set aside in respect of depreciation or renewal of property of the Authority, having regard to the amount set aside out of revenue under paragraphs (a) and (b);

(g) The cost, or any portion thereof, of any new works, plant, vessels or appliances not being a renewal of the property of the Authority, which the Authority may determine to charge to revenue;

(h) Such sums by way of contribution for or to public or charitable purpose associated with the purpose of this Act as the Authority, with the approval of the Minister, may decide; and

(i) Any other expenditure authorised by the Authority and properly chargeable to revenue.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) the balance of the revenue of the Authority being the surplus revenue shall be applied for the creation of a general reserve or such other reserves or capital fund as the Authority may consider appropriate.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) if in any year the Minister shall so direct there shall be paid to the Government by way of a dividend to the Treasury, such proportion not exceeding one half of the surplus revenue of that year as the Minister may determine.

28. Investment of Funds - Any funds not immediately required for expenditure by the Authority may be invested in any manner authorised by the Public Finance Management Act 2001 for the investment of balances in the Public Account.

29. Borrowing Powers - The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, raise loans, either by charge or mortgage or by the creation and issue of debentures, debenture stock, bonds or other wise, for the purpose of carrying out its functions under the provisions of this Act.

30. Cabinet Approval for borrowings and expenditure - Notwithstanding any provision in sections 27 and 29, the approval of Cabinet must be obtained in relation to any expenditure or the borrowing of an amount for which Cabinet approval is required in accordance with any policy or direction of Cabinet in force from time to time.

31. Annual Estimates-(1) The Authority shall every year cause to be prepared and shall adopt an annual budget of revenue and expenditure of the Authority for the ensuing year.

(2) Actual monthly financial statements and financial performance year to date shall be reviewed and compared to the budget at each and every Authority meeting.

(3) A copy of the annual budget and monthly financial statements, prepared under subsection (2), shall, upon their adoption by the Authority, be sent forthwith to the Minister.

(4) A summary of the annual budget, the end-of-the-year financial and supplementary results, adopted by the Authority, shall be published in the Gazette.

32. Audit of accounts-(1) The Authority shall keep proper accounts and records in relation to its business and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and within 3 months after the end of each financial year, shall prepare a balance sheet, income statement and statement of source and application of funds, and such other statements of account as are necessary to show fully the financial position of the Authority and the financial performance of its operations during that year.

(2) The balance sheet, revenue statements and other accounts shall be audited by fully qualified, independent auditors in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Principles.

(3) For the purposes of this section the value of all assets and liabilities vested in or assumed by the Authority pursuant to sections 17 and 18 shall be fixed as at the time of their vesting or assumption at such amount or amounts as determined by fair market valuation.

33. Presentation of financial statements and audit reports - As soon as the accounts of the Authority and the financial statements have been audited in accordance with the provisions of this Act, a copy of the audited financial statement signed by the Chairperson and certified by the external auditors together with a copy of any report made by the Auditor General on the request of the Minister, shall be submitted to the Minister.

34. Other Reports - The Minister may require the Authority to provide any further financial or management reports which he may deem necessary as an additional indication of the Authority’s financial and operational performance.

35. Statement of accounts and annual report-(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, but not later than 90 days after the end of the financial year or such later date as the Minister may approve, the Authority shall transmit to the Minister -

(b) A copy of the report of the external auditors on the accounts or the report of the Auditor General; and

(c) A report containing details of the activities of the Authority during the year, including statistically date and year to date operational performance compared to the budget.

(2) The Minister shall cause copies of the accounts and reports to be laid before Parliament as soon as practicable thereafter.

36. Dues payable in respect of vessels - The owner, agent or master of every vessel which enters, leaves, or uses any port in Samoa shall pay to the Authority such port or other dues as the Authority, with the approval of the Minister and by notification in the Gazette or the Savali, may from time to time determine.

37. Dues payable in respect of goods-(1) Dues on goods shall be levied by and paid to the Authority in respect of goods brought into, loaded or discharged within a port or its approaches (including a wharf not belonging to the Authority under its control).

(2) Dues shall be determined by the Authority with the approval of the Minister and shall be published in the Gazette or the Savali.

38. Persons liable for goods dues - In addition to the persons referred to in section 37 the following persons shall be liable to pay dues payable in respect of any goods passing through the port, that is to say -

(b) Any consignor, consignee, shipper, or agent for the sale or custody of the goods; and

(2) The consignor and consignee of any goods carried in a vessel shall, until the contrary is shown, be deemed to be the persons so named on the Bill of Lading and listed in the vessel’s manifest.

39. Rates - Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may, with the approval of the Minister and by notification in the Gazette or Savali, levy such rates as it shall determine for the use of any land, works and appliances belonging to it and for services, goods and facilities provided by it in pursuance of its powers under this Act or under any other enactment or under any regulations, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, for any of the following matters -

(a) The landing, handling, wharfage, storage or carriage of goods and the deposit with it or the placing of goods in its custody or control;

(b) The provision of pilotage services to any vessel within Samoan territorial waters;

(c) The use of any vessel, vehicle or person; or any land, works, installation or appliances, wharf or dock under its control;

(d) The use of any gear, tackle, instruments, tools, utensils, staging or materials supplied by it for the purpose of any vessel using or any person working within its boundaries;

(e) The use of any vessel or engine belonging to or maintained by the Authority for the extinction of fire;

(g) The supply by the Authority of water, telephone services, fuel, electricity and other forms of energy;

40. Powers of entry on to vessels - Any duly authorised employee of the Authority may board and inspect any vessel within a port or the approaches to a port in order to ascertain the amount of the dues or rates payable in respect thereof.

41. Receipts - Receipts for dues and rates shall be given to the person paying them, and any vessel in respect of which such receipt is not produced, when demanded by a duly authorised employee of the Authority, may be detained until such receipt is produced or other satisfactory proof of payments has been given.

42. Lien on goods - For the amount of all dues and rates levied under the provisions of this Act in respect of any goods, the Authority shall have a lien on the goods and shall be entitled to seize and detain them until the dues and rates are fully paid or secured to its satisfaction and such lien shall have priority over all other liens and claims except those to the Government.

43. Powers to sell or dispose of goods-(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, if any goods which have been placed in or on premises of the Authority are not removed therefrom within a period of 60 days from the time when they were so placed, the Authority may, at the expiration of that period, sell by public auction or dispose of all or any of such goods as it may deem fit.

(a) In the case of goods for which a through Bill of Lading has been produced, the period of 60 days referred to in this subsection shall be substituted by a period of ninety days; and

(b) If the goods are of a perishable nature the Authority may direct their removal within such shorter period, not being less than 24 hours after the discharge thereof, as it may think fit, and if not so removed, the Authority may sell all or any of such goods by public auction or dispose of them as it may think fit.

(2) For the purposes of the last preceding subsection, a sale shall not be rendered invalid by reason only that it takes place in an area to which the public is not admitted as of right.

(3) Before effecting a sale under this section, the Authority shall give at least three days’ notice thereof by advertisement in a local newspaper circulating in Samoa, unless the goods are of so perishable a nature as in the opinion of the Authority renders their immediate sale necessary or advisable in which event the Authority shall give such notice (if any) in whatever manner it considers the urgency of the case requires.

(4) The proceeds of any sale under this section shall be applied by the Authority in the following order -

(c) Thirdly, in payment of all charges and expenses due to the Authority under the provision of this Act in respect of the goods; and

(d) Fourth, in payment of freight or other claims or liens of which notice has been given under the provisions of any law, and by rendering the surplus, if any, to the person entitled thereto on demand, and, in case no such demand is made within one year from the date of the sale of the goods, by paying the surplus to the account of the Authority, whereupon all rights to the same by such person shall be extinguished.

(5) If any inconsistency arises between the operation of this section and the exercise of any power under the Customs Act, the provisions of the Customs Act shall prevail.

44. Shipping clearance to be withheld, etc. - Notwithstanding the provisions of any other enactment, if the Authority gives to any public officer, whose duty it is to grant clearance to any vessel, a written notice stating that an amount therein specified is due in respect of dues or rates levied under this Act in respect of that vessel, the officer shall not grant such clearance until the amount due has been paid or has been secured to the satisfaction of the Authority.

45. Exemption, reduction, etc., of dues, rates, etc. - The Authority on a valid reason may –

(a) Exempt any vessel or goods or classes of vessels or goods from the payment of dues; and

(b) Reduce, refund or waive, in whole or in part, any dues, or the rates under this Act.

46. Evasion-(1) If the master or owner of any vessel or any owner, consignee or consignor of goods, by any means whatsoever, evades or attempts to evade any of the dues or rates leviable under this Act, that person commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, and shall in addition be liable to pay to the Authority as penalty, double the amount of dues or rates he evaded or attempted to evade.

(2) The tender to or acceptance by the Authority or and of its employees of any dues or rates the payment of which has been previously evaded or left unpaid, shall not release or discharge any person from his liability under the provisions of subsection (1).

47. Compulsory pilotage-(1) The provisions of this Part are in addition to and not in derogation of relevant provisions of the Shipping Act 1998.

(2) Subject to section 48, navigation of every vessel in any pilotage area shall be conducted by a person authorised in accordance with the section 49.

(3) A vessel while being moved within any area of a port which is part of a pilotage area shall be deemed to be a vessel navigating in a pilotage area.

48. Exemptions from pilotage - Notwithstanding the provisions of section 47 the Authority may, if it appears to the Authority to be necessary, exempt any vessel or class of vessel while navigating in any pilotage area from being required to utilise the services of a licensed pilot subject to such terms and conditions as it may think fit to impose.

49. Vessel to be piloted by a licensed pilot-(1) No vessel shall be piloted in a pilotage area by any person other than a person appointed by the Authority to be a licensed pilot.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) the Authority may, if it considers expedient, authorise any person to pilot vessels in a pilotage area subject to such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

50. Authority to employ pilots-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may employ such number of pilots as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of providing an adequate and efficient pilotage service.

(2) No person shall be employed as a licensed pilot in a pilotage area unless he or she is in possession of a valid licence to act as a pilot in such area issued pursuant to the Shipping Act 1998.

51. Dangerous Goods - The Authority shall control the movement, loading, discharging, handling and storage of dangerous goods within a port or its approaches and in particular and without limiting the generality of the foregoing may -

(c) Require dangerous goods to be stowed in containers and on board vessels in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code;

(d) Direct and control lighterage, landing, loading, discharging, conveying storage and handling of dangerous goods;

(e) Prohibit, or permit unconditionally, or subject to conditions and restrictions, the movement, storage, or stowage of any kind of dangerous goods with any other goods;

(g) Take such steps as it deems necessary to protect persons and property from danger.

52. Obstructing Authority in the performance of its duty - Any person who at any time hinders, obstructs or molests the Authority or any of its employers, agent or contractors in the performance and execution of their duty or of anything which they are respectively empowered or required to do by virtue or in consequence of this Act, or removes any work set up for the purpose of indicating any level or direction necessary to the executing of works authorised by this Act, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.

53. False returns - Any person who makes, either knowingly or recklessly, any statement which is false in any material particular in any return, claim or other document which is required or authorised to be made by or under the provisions of this Act commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of 100 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.

54. False information as to tonnage, etc. - Any master, owner or agent of a vessel entering or leaving a port or coming alongside or departing from a wharf in a port who gives false information of the tonnage, draught, length or beam of such vessel to any employee of the Authority authorised to ascertain the same commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding 200 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.

55. Willful damage to port works and property - Any person who willfully removes, breaks, destroys or in any other way damages or injures any port works or any property belonging to the Authority or who hinders or willfully prevents such port works or property from being used or operated in the manner in which it is intended to be used or operated commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 200 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year, and in addition shall pay by way of compensation to the Authority, such sum as the Court may determine.

56. Offences in connection with safety of vessels, etc. - Any person who in any port or in approaches –

(a) Willfully and without lawful excuse loosen or removes from its moorings or from its fastenings in or alongside any anchorage or wharf, any vessel without leave or authority from the master or owner of such vessel or person in charge of such anchorage or wharf;

(b) Without the permission of the Port master or any lawful excuse discharges any firearm except for the purpose of making a signal of distress or for other purpose as may be allowed under any written law;

(d) Fumigates by whatever means any vessel in the port, or boils or heats any pitch, tar, resin, turpentine oil or other inflammable oils or liquids of any kind on board any vessel; or carries out any welding or cutting using gas or electrical appliances without the permission of the Port Master;

(e) Uses a naked light when drawing off spirits, turpentine oil or other inflammable oils or liquids of any kind on board any vessel,

commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both.

57. Pollution of waters of a Port-(1) Every person who throws, discharges, or deposits, or causes, suffers, or procures to be thrown, discharged, or deposited into any waters of a port, any harmful substance commits an offence against this Act.

(2) It shall be a defence to any prosecution under subsection (1) if the defendant proves that the action complained of was necessitated by reason of an emergency imperiling life, or was caused by unavoidable accident, collision or stranding.

"(3) Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable upon conviction –

(a) if the case involves a vessel with GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) in excess of 200 tons, to a fine not exceeding 10,000 penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both; or

(b) in any other case, to a fine not exceeding 250 penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both; and

(i) The expenses and costs incurred by the Authority or any other responsible person or agency in the process of locating, investigating and establishing causation and responsibility for the offence; and

(iii) Any other expenses or costs for prevention measures used or proposed to be used to reduce or eliminate any danger to human life, the environment or property caused by or contributed to by the offence."

(4) For the purposes of this section, "harmful substance" has the meaning given to it in the Shipping Act 1998.

58. Master, owner, etc., answerable for damage-(1) In every case in which any damage is done to any property of the Authority by any vessel or by any person employed thereon, the cost of making good the damage may be recovered by the Authority from the master, owner or person in charge of the vessel.

(2) The Authority may detain any such vessel until the cost of making good the damage has been paid, or security, therefore has been given to the Authority or paid into the Court of Competent Jurisdiction.

59. Powers of arrest-(1) The Authority shall make proper provision for the security of ports and the premises and property of the Authority, and any employee of the Authority authorised in writing by the General Manager, either generally or in any particular case, may arrest without warrant any person found committing, or whom he has reason to believe has committed, an offence under this Act.

(2) A person arrested under this section shall forthwith be handed over to the Police.

60. Power to compromise - The Authority may compound or compromise, for or in respect of any claim or demand made against it, for such sum of money or other compensation as it considers sufficient.

61. Evidence of identity - Any employee of the Authority who reasonably believes that any person has committed an offence against the provisions of this Act may require that person to furnish evidence of his or her identity. Any such person who refuses to furnish such evidence or who willfully misstates such information commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.

62. Authorised employee of Authority may prosecute - Any authorised employee of the Authority may conduct a prosecution under this Act on behalf of the Authority.

63. Apparatus, etc., not subject to distress, etc. - When any apparatus or equipment belonging to the Authority is placed in or upon any place not being under control of the Authority, such apparatus or equipment shall not be subject to distress nor be taken in execution under process of any Court or in any proceedings in bankruptcy.

64. Regulations-(1) The Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, may make Regulations for the maintenance, control and management of any port or the approaches thereto and generally for giving effect to and carrying out the purposes of this Act including –

(b) Prescribing all such things as may be necessary with respect to harbour lights, buoys, beacons and signals and preventing and providing for the removal of obstructions or impediments to navigation;

(c) Regulating, declaring and defining the wharves and ferry terminals where goods shall be discharged from or loaded on or into vessels and the manner in which and the conditions under which such discharging and loading shall be carried out, and for varying the position of vessels discharging or loading;

(d) Regulating the erection or construction of wharves and ferry terminals in a port or encroaching in any way on the waters thereof;

(e) Providing minimum standards for using machinery and appliances (including machinery and appliances carried on a vessel) deployed in loading or unloading of goods;

(f) Keeping free passages of such width as considered necessary within a port and along or near the wharves, passenger jetties, moorings and other similar works in or adjoining the same and marking out the spaces so to be kept free;

(g) Regulating the anchoring, fastening, mooring and unmooring and warping of all vessels and the use of warps, mooring buoys, chains and other moorings and the granting of permission, on such conditions as the Authority may think fit, for the keeping or placing of anchors or private moorings or buoys;

(h) Regulating the use of anchorage, wharves and ferry terminals and the movement of vessels, persons and vehicles and preventing obstruction at anchorages and on wharves and ferry terminals and ensuring the safety of the same and any cargo thereon;

(i) Regulating the use by vessels of whistles, sirens and other like instruments and the signals to be used and measures to be taken in case of fires in a port;

(j) Enforcing and regulating the use of navigation lights, signals and signal lights by vessels and the steps to be taken by vessels navigating in the waters of a port for the avoidance of accidents;

(k) Requiring the master of every vessel to report his arrival, to produce the certificate of registry on demand, and to deliver a copy of every bill of lading or manifest of the cargo or other account of goods intended to be discharged;

(l) Specifying the information to be supplied by the masters, owners and other persons in respect of vessels arriving and departing, and of goods loaded or discharged in a port, and the time and manner in which such information shall be supplied;

(m) Regulating, controlling and supervising all activities carried on within a port and, if found satisfactory, providing for the licensing thereof;

(n) Regulating the reception, storage and removal of goods within and from the premises of the Authority, and declaring the procedure to be followed for taking charge of goods which have been damaged before landing or are alleged to have been so damaged;

(o) Regulating the examination and checking of any vehicle, case, bag or luggage where there is reason to believe that any person has in his or her possession any goods on which duties or dues or fees have not been paid;

(p) Regulating the keeping clean of basins and other works of the Authority and the waters of any port and the approaches to any port and preventing oil, rubbish or other things being discharged or thrown or entering therein or thereon;

(q) Regulating towage of or other assistance to vessels and the terms and conditions of such towage or assistance;

(r) Licensing any vessels, canoes or traditional craft for any purpose and fixing fees to be paid for licensing of any such vessels, canoes or traditional craft;

(s) Prescribing the terms and conditions for the sale and supply of fresh water by the Authority;

(t) Providing for the cleaning, fumigating, and disinfecting of buildings, wharves, containers, vessels and cargo;

(u) Regulating the safe and convenient use of the wharves, ferry terminals, landing places and buildings maintained by the Authority;

(v) Regulating the use or occupation of the foreshore and the bed of any lagoon tidal area or navigable waters forming part of a port or included in the approaches to a port;

(w) Regulating the use in ports of motor launches, yachts, pleasure craft, surfboards, and water skis and other craft (including aircraft);

(x) Limiting the waters of any port that may be utilised for bathing, and regulating bathing on or near any foreshore;

(z) Settling the mode of payment of dues or rates leviable under this Act, facilitating their collection and preventing their evasion;

(aa) Prohibiting any operation which in the opinion of the Authority is undesirable;

(bb) Prescribing offences in respect of the contravention of or non compliance with any regulation made under this Act or any requirement or direction made or given pursuant to any such regulation and prescribing penalties not exceeding 10 penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both, for such offences;

(cc) Excluding or limiting the liability of the Authority in respect of anything done pursuant to any Regulations made under this Act.

(2) The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, exempt any vessel or any class or description of vessel from all or any of the provisions of any Regulations made pursuant to the preceding subsection.

65. No effect to Shipping Act - Except as otherwise provided, nothing in this Act shall extend to, repeal or alter any of the provisions of the Shipping Act 1998, or to exempt the Authority from the provisions of that Act.

67. Repeals and savings-(1) The regulations referred to in Schedule 2 shall continue in force as if made under this Act.

(2) Where in any regulations there appears a reference to a Harbourmaster or to a Port Administrator that reference shall be read as if it were a reference to a Port Master.

Port Control Regulations 1939 (Gazette 1939 p.737)
Port Control Amendment Regulations 1960 (1960/14)
Port Control Regulations 1939 Amendment No.1 (1970/8)
Port Control Regulations 1939 Amendment No.2 (1976/1)
District Wharf Fees Regulations (Mulifanua and Salelologa) 1959 (1959/8) as amended by the Fa’asaleleaga Water Supply Act 1969
District Wharf Regulations (Salelologa) 1959 (1959/9) as amended by the Enactments Amendment and Repeal Ordinance 1960 (sec.2), Reprint of Statutes Act 1972 (sec.3(f)) and the Ministerial Portfolios Act (1976) (sec.2(1))
District Wharf Regulations (Salelologa) 1959 Amendment No.2 (W.S.R. 1966/5)
Port Charges Regulations 1984 - (1984/4A)
Port charges Amendment Regulations 1987 - (1987/2)

Parcels 820(0.2.27), 585(1.2.30.9), 605(0.1.28.9), 633(0.0.02.9), 536(0.0.11.6), 963(1.1.28.7) and 604(0.2.18.2) and

This law has been reviewed in accordance with the powers provided for in section 5 of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008. Some minor amendments of a non-substantive nature have been made to conform to modern drafting styles. The following general revisions have been made –

(c) Amendments have been made to conform to modern drafting styles and to use modern language as applied in the laws of Samoa.

(d) Amendments have been made to up-date references to offices, officers and statutes.

(e) Other minor editing has been done in accordance with the lawful powers of the Attorney General.

The following amendments have been made to this law since its enactment, and these have been incorporated into this revised law –

Section 3	The words "the Schedule" were deleted from subsection (1) and relaced with "Schedule 1".
	The words "subsection (1)" were deleted from subsection (3) and relaced with "subsection (2)".
Section 16	The words "the Schedules" were deleted from subsection (1)(a) and relaced with "Schedule 1".

The words "the Schedule" were deleted from subsection (3) and relaced with "Schedule 3".

Schedule 1	This Schedule was deleted and replaced with its current form.
Schedule 3	This Schedule was inserted

Section 5

The word "four" in subsection (1) was deleted and replaced with "six".

Section 3	The definition of "Pilotage Area" was deleted and replaced with its current form.
Section 57	Subsection (3) was repealed and replaced with its current form.

Revised and consolidated under the supervision of Teleiai Lalotoa Sinaalamaimaleula Mulitalo (Parliamentary Counsel)

There were no amendments made to this law since the publication of the Consolidated and Revised Statutes of Samoa 2007.

Revised and consolidated by the Legislative Drafting Division under the supervision of Teleiai Lalotoa Sinaalamaimaleula Mulitalo (Parliamentary Counsel)

The Ports Authority Act 1998 is administered
in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.

Samoa Consolidated Legislation 2008

Ports Authority Act 1998