Ballast Water Management - Australia

December 2001

(Sea Venture Volume 20)

By way of example of individual state regimes, developments in Australia are discussed in this article¹. The submission of Ballast Water Reporting Forms has been compulsory for all vessels visiting Australia for some time². In addition, with effect from 1 July 2001, ballast water management became compulsory for all international vessels visiting Australia.

"Management" of ballast water is effected by:

• Exchange of ballast water at sea (or on-board treatment, which will be considered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) on a case by case basis)

• Using the AQIS Ballast Water Decision Support System (BWDSS) to provide AQIS with details of uptake and intended discharge of ballast water while still at last port or no less than 5 days before arrival in Australia.

Assessment by the BWDSS will determine whether the ballast water is categorised as high or low risk. If high risk, options open to the master include:

• Exchange at sea (or on-board treatment, as above)

• No discharge in Australian ports or waters

• Tank to tank transfer of ballast water

If assessed as low risk, ballast water will not require treatment. However, written permission from an AQIS officer is required before ballast water can be discharged in Australian ports or waters.

The BWDSS can be accessed via the Australian Agriculture Fisheries and Food website which also provides guidance on completion of submissions to the BWDSS.

Existing requirements of mandatory reporting, allowing AQIS access to sampling points and prevention of sediment discharge remain in effect.

 

¹ The Australian system is, however, based on IMO guidelines. The current IMO position is explained in related article "Ballast Water Management - IMO Adopts Convention".
² "Sea Venture" Vol.19 page 49. Further information is available on the AQIS website: www.aqis.gov.au/shipping.