The Australian Shipping Board was constituted under the National Security (Shipping Coordination) Regulations on 1 January 1946. The Board had powers:
(a) to control shipping;
(b) to require that ships and the services of ships shall be subject
    to direction, requisition and control and to make arrangements
    for the management and operation of ships;
(c) to arrange for the speedy loading and unloading of ships; 
(d) to arrange for the orderly discharge and shipment of goods
    carried, or to be carried, by sea and for the safe custody
    thereof and for the protection and improvement of conditions of
    all persons engaged in, or in connection with matters relating to
    or incidental to, the handling, safe custody or delivery of goods
    carried or to be carried, by sea;
(e) to secure that the ports of the Commonwealth shall be developed,
    equipped and operated in such a manner as to ensure speedy
    loading and unloading of ships and for this purpose to coordinate
    the activities of, and to require the assistance of, the
    authorities controlling those ports; and
(f) to require interstate or overseas shipping organizations
    operating within the Commonwealth to assist the Board in such
    manner as it requires on such terms and conditions as the
    Minister approves. 

The Minister could appoint a Chief Salvage Officer of the Board to take over the functions of the Salvage Board (CA 147). The Board also assumed the functions of the Commonwealth Government Ships chartering Committee (CA 324) and of the Central Cargo Control Committee (CA 313). The Board membership as set out in the 1945 Regulations consisted of: 
(a) the Secretary, Department of Supply and Shipping who was 
    Chairman of the Board;
(b) the Director, who was Deputy Chairman of the Board;
(c) an officer of the Department of Supply and Shipping;
(d) an officer of the Department of the Treasury;
(e) an officer of the Department of Trade and Customs; and
(f) four other members.
The members in July 1947 were: F.A. O'Connor (Chairman) R.A. Hitherington (Deputy Chairman and Director of Shipping), G.J. Sutcliffe, S.G. McFarlane, CMG, MBE, N.K.B. Brodribb, M. McCarthy, S.I. Edwards, J.W. Radford and J.A. Tudehope (Federal Guide 1947 p.61)

The Australian Coastal Shipping Commission Act 1956 established the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission (CA 252) which took over the functions and property of the Board. The Act, however, made provisions whereby the Board was given time to wind up its affairs. The Board's affairs were wound up by 17 November 1961 and a notice to this effect was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 96 of 30 November 1961, p.4324.

Historical agency address
1946-    : Subject to research
1947-    : 400 Collins St, Melbourne and 4 Bridge St, Sydney
1948-1950: Subject to research 
1950-    : 4 Bridge St, Sydney
1951-1957: 400 Collins St, Melbourne
1957-1961: Subject to research

Legislation administered
Creation: National Security (Shipping Coordination) Regulations Statutory Rules 1945, No. 204
Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Act No.41 of 1956; Australian Coastal Commission Act 1956