9 June 2022
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries who use DP World Australia's Brisbane terminal—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.
What does BATDS mean?
The department is undertaking a validation trial of the Biosecurity Automated Threat Detection System (BATDS) in partnership with Trellis Data and DP World Australia's Brisbane Terminal to improve our surveillance capability at container ports.
By combining automated cameras and real-time machine learning the department will be able to scan the external surfaces of sea containers for contaminants and biosecurity risk material (BRM) as they are being unloaded from cargo ships.
Dedicated departmental biosecurity officers located at DP World Australia's Brisbane Terminal for the duration of the trial will inspect a selection of Country Action List (CAL) and non-CAL sea containers to verify the accuracy of captured images.
The BATDS trial will commence on Tuesday, 14 June 2022 and will continue for approximately 6 months.
If successful, this technology could allow the department to screen more containers and only intervene on those with an identified biosecurity risk. This would be a more efficient screening process and reduce unnecessary delays for importers of goods arriving in clean containers.
What will change?
All CAL containers (excluding exempt transhipping containers) unloading at DP World Australia's Brisbane Terminal will be externally inspected by a biosecurity officer as part of this trial, according to established procedures. Any BRM detected during these inspections will be compared to the images taken by the BATDS camera for verification purposes.
A number of non-CAL containers may also be randomly selected for external inspection during the trial. Stakeholders can expect a minimal delay in the release of non-CAL containers if they are selected for inspection. These containers will have a 'Terminal Hold' applied and a 'Held' Terminal Status visible in 1-Stop. Where a 'Terminal Hold' is in place, the containers are unable to be moved off wharf, so transport should not be arranged until the 'Terminal Hold' has been removed. These non-CAL container inspections will not attract a charge unless contamination or BRM is detected and mitigation measures are required.
Further information
Enquiries regarding non-CAL containers unloaded at DP World Brisbane with a 'Held' Terminal Status can be directed to DP World Brisbane's VBS Coordinator by email at fit.vbs@dpworld.com.au or by phone on (07) 3895 9360.
For general enquiries about the BATDS trial please contact the department by email at BATDS@awe.gov.au.