4 August 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the shipping industry including vessel masters, shipping agents, port authorities and terminal operators
What has changed?
In response to a recent increase in ballast water non-compliances related to the use of ballast water management systems, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has published a ballast water fact sheet.
The fact sheet outlines what ships should expect during a biosecurity inspection and some common issues that lead to non-compliance. Tips are provided to help ship crews take preventative actions which may help avoid the discharge of non-compliant ballast water and encourage ships to take preventative actions to improve ballast water management prior to arrival to Australian ports. Ship crews are encouraged to report any issues they encountered before arrival to prevent delays at the berth.
Read the Biosecurity Inspections of Ballast Water Management Systems fact sheet.
Further information
Ballast Water Unit, 02 5156 5202, pestsmarine@aff.gov.au
Please also see the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements v8 for more information on complying with Australian requirements.