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Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
16200 Central Green Blvd
GAC Regional Office, Asia Pacific 78 Shenton Way, #29-01
Group Vice President, Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
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19 Oct 2023 / Australia
According to Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Farming (DAFF), every individual vessel MUST have an effective biofouling management plan. Enforcement will begin on 15 December.
So far, approximately 90% of vessels calling to Australia in recent months during the ‘education phase’ have such a plan in place. However, some are just a direct copy of the IMO regulations without being vessel specific, which is not acceptable to DAFF.
The management plan must be detailed and vessel specific.
DAFF is concerned about vessels and operators submitting misleading or incorrect reports, particularly claiming to have been cleaned recently. This will be policed strongly.
The Australian requirements are NOT expected to be as stringent as the IMO requirements. They will not give a clear indication of what level of biofouling is acceptable and what is not.
DAFF will be focused on the need for all vessels to have an effective biofouling management plan.
If a vessel has a poor or no biofouling management plan in place they are likely to be asked to rectify this before their next visit to Australia.
This would be checked closely on the vessels return and if no rectification has been undertaken then the vessel could be rejected.
If a vessel is found to have a level of biofouling which is not acceptable to DAFF, the vessel will likely be allowed to complete its current port call in Australia but be advised that the issue will have to be addressed and rectified BEFORE the vessel next returns to Australia.
This, however, will be at the discretion of DAFF and is unlikely to be clearly written in the guidelines.
Ahead of the scheduled enforcement phase starting on 15 December, further clarification will be issued to include a clearer and Australia specific list of requirements of what is required to be included in a vessel’s biofouling management plan.
For further details, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]