AMSA Requirements for Antifouling

Feb 7, 2022 |

 

Biofouling occurs when organisms attach and grow on the submerged parts of a vessel like the hull, propellers, anchors, niche areas and fishing gear.

 

Vessel biofouling and a ship’s ballast water are major pathways for the introduction of marine species into the oceans. They can spread, threaten healthy marine habitats, and have adverse economic and health effects.

 

As AMSA has noted, all vessels pose some risk to Australia’s marine biosecurity. To manage this risk, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is working closely with Australia, international shipping industries and recreational vessel operators on a number of initiatives.

 

Mandatory biofouling management requirements for international vessels

 

New requirements for managing biofouling on international vessels arriving in Australia will begin on 15 June 2022.

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Operators of all vessels subject to biosecurity control will be required to provide information on how biofouling has been managed prior to arriving in Australian territorial seas. This information will need to be reported through the AMSA’s department Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS).

 

The department will use the information to target vessel interventions. This will allow more efficient use of resources and statutory powers to assess and inspect vessels, and more effective response to unacceptable biosecurity risks associated with biofouling.

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Vessel operators will receive less intervention for biofouling if they comply with one of the three accepted biofouling management practices, as per below para.

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A vessel operator that has not applied one of the three accepted biofouling management practices will be subject to further questions and assessment of the biosecurity risk associated with biofouling on the vessel.

 

Actions required

Ship managers and operators should be aware of AMSAs requirements for biofouling and prior 15 June 2022 implement one of the below actions:

1. Implementation of an effective biofouling management plan; or

2. Clean all biofouling within 30 days prior to arriving in Australian territory; or

3. Implementation of an alternative biofouling management method pre-approved by the department.

 

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Australia: Entering vessels must carry compliant Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book from June 15 by The Editorial Team

January 14, 2022

 

As of June 15, 2022, Australia will require all vessels entering, or intending to enter, Australian territorial waters on any voyage that commenced outside Australian territorial waters to carry a compliant Biofouling Management Plan and associated Record Book.

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Considering the new regulation, the American Club notes that the following information is to be included in a vessel’s pre-arrival report:

• Details of any inspections of the vessel for biofouling, cleaning of biofouling or treatment for biofouling undertaken prior to the vessel’s arrival in Australian territory;

• Details of any inspections of the vessel for biofouling, cleaning of biofouling or treatment for biofouling intended while the vessel is in Australian territory;

• Practices included in any plan of biofouling management for the vessel that is currently in use;

• Details of the voyage history of the vessel in the past 12 months.

A Biofouling Management Plan and associated Record Book that are compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species(첨부참조), will be considered sufficient in meeting the Australian biofouling management requirements.

 

Implementation of an effective biofouling management regime is critical for minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species. The biofouling management measures to be undertaken on a ship should be outlined in a biofouling management plan, and records of biofouling management practices kept in a biofouling record book.