New Rules for Ballast Water Management in Australia

Since July 2001, all ships entering Australian ports or waters from overseas have been subject to Australia’s national ballast water management requirements.

These are currently enforced under the Quarantine Act 1908, but from June 16, 2016, they will be enforced under the  Biosecurity Act 2015. This has been drafted to move Australian legislation towards consistency with the International Maritime Organization’s Ballast Water Management Convention (the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments 2004).

At present, the Australian national requirements only list ballast water exchange as a valid ballast water management method and do not list ‘alternative ballast water management methods’ such as ballast water treatment systems.
 
Vessels proposing to use treatment systems need to apply in writing to the Australian Department of Agriculture, in advance of the event. Owners, operators and agents are advised to check for updates to the current management and reporting requirements once the Biosecurity Act enters into force. We will also issue further Class News with any updates.
 
If ballast water exchange is proposed as a compliance option, owners and operators should ensure that all ballast water is managed in accordance with the Ballast Water Management Plan, and that Ballast Water Record Books are maintained.