21/02/2023
Who does this notice affect?
All vessel owners, operators, masters, and shipping agents who represent international commercial vessels, preparing for arrival in Australian territory.
What has changed?
An amended ballast water report and offline forms will be released in MARS on 24 February 2023 to include revised ballast water questions.
The ballast water report changes included:
- an increased number of accepted ballast tanks from 30 to 100 tanks.
- a checkbox reminder to list all tanks.
- validation for ballast water tank management start date/times so that the start date/time cannot be before the management end date/time.
- an updated responsible officer field role to include a number of dropdown options.
- an updated field title change, from ‘Final Volume’ details to ‘Final Volume after Management’.
- a new option to record the ballast water ‘management method’.
Contingency Measures
In addition, there are three new questions about ballast water contingency measures that will allow users to report the use of a contingency measure and receive an exemption for ballast water managed with a contingency measure including additional dropdown values for ballast management methods 'Contingency-Empty Refill' and 'Contingency-Flow through.
A contingency measure may only be used in the instance of a Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) failure or similar unforeseen circumstance. These circumstances may include an inoperable BWMS where all reasonable steps have been undertaken to repair the BWMS prior to uptake or discharge of ballast water.
Some new contingency method biosecurity conditions may appear on Biosecurity Status Documents (BSDs).
Refer to the published Shipping Circular on the department’s ballast water webpage which has advice on contingency measures for ships installed with ballast water management systems. Ballast water
What do you need to do?
Complete your ballast water report in MARS as usual. The revised and mandatory questions will be displayed.
Be aware that the use of a contingency measure may now be reported through the ballast water report in MARS. By reporting the use of a contingency measure, the vessel operator will be applying for a low-risk exemption and the decision to grant or not grant discharge of the relevant ballast water will be displayed on the Biosecurity Status Documents (BSDs).
As an alternative to direct MARS access, offline forms can be used by vessel masters or officers where there is limited or unreliable internet connectivity to meet pre-arrival reporting obligations. The MARS ballast water offline form has been updated on the MARS offline forms webpage, for use from 24 February 2023. Vessel masters and shipping agents should make sure to download the revised ballast water report to avoid errors and delays when submitting information into MARS.
Where can you find the forms?
The updated offline forms are available on the department’s webpage: MARS offline forms
Vessel reporting requirements and the Biosecurity Act 2015
Vessel masters and shipping agents are reminded:
- to read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage in Australia.
- that any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of travellers, must be submitted via MARS or reported to the National Maritime Centre (NMC) as soon as practicable.
- that a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties, or criminal prosecutions.
Further information
Contact the department’s National Maritime Centre (NMC) by email or phone: 1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
For the latest information on ballast water management, view the Ballast water webpage.
View the Vessels webpages for information on Australia’s biosecurity reporting obligations and responsibilities.