3 February 2020
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders associated with the biosecurity inspection of sea freight containers imported into Australia—including Shipping Lines, Vessel Agents, Stevedores, wharf/terminal operators, Biosecurity Industry Participants, and importers — associated with the biosecurity inspection of sea freight containers imported into Australia.
What has changed?
The department published an Industry Advice Notice on 4 September 2019 (146-2019) advising that following a review of the Standard for construction, certification and use of sea freight container inspection stands, new requirements for qualified engineers or structural inspectors to have their qualifications and relevant experience assessed by Engineers Australia was required by 31 November 2019.
Due to the high number of engineers yet to engage with Engineers Australia to complete the new requirement prior to the November 2019 deadline, the department accordingly published a further Industry Advice Notice on 3 December 2019 (203-2019) providing an extension to 31 January 2020. This revised deadline has now passed and no further extension of time will be provided.
From 1 February 2020, the department will suspend performing external Country Action List (CAL) or rural tailgate inspections on any uncertified inspection stand located at either an Approved Arrangement or First Point of Entry. Any new inspection stand or stand that is still pending assessment, will continue not to be accepted for use by the department unless the certifying engineer has had their assessment completed by Engineers Australia and documentation provided to the department.
Interim arrangements from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2020
The department will only use certified container inspection stands from 1 February 2020. For locations without a certified stand, interim inspection measures from 1 February to 31 March 2020, will be implemented to ensure minimum impact to shippers and importers.
Shippers, vessel agents, importers and brokers are encouraged to check that stevedores, wharves and Biosecurity Industry Participants have a current certified Sea freight container inspection stand prior to booking discharge of CAL containers, or container inspection requests to avoid possible delays and associated costs.
Rural Tailgates and re -inspection of containers – Interim arrangement
To assess the biosecurity risk associated with Rural Tailgate and re inspection of cleaned containers, sites without a certified container inspection stand may use skeletal trailers for the initial presentation for the external component of rural tailgate inspections and also for containers that have been cleaned/ treated for re inspection by biosecurity officers. Sites must beware of any increased Work Health and Safety obligations when undertaking these activities.
Country Action List (CAL) inspections – Interim arrangement
To assess the biosecurity risk associated with CAL containers arriving at a First Point of Entry (FPoE) without a certified container inspection stand, containers may be presented on a skeletal trailer for inspection and re inspection post cleaning. Initial inspection of CAL containers off wharf will not be permitted. Sites must beware of any increased Work Health and Safety obligations when undertaking these activities including ensuring updated traffic management plan is in place.
Locations that do not have a certified container inspection stand post 1 April 2020, may be denied permission to land or receive sea containers from CAL countries that are subject to biosecurity control.
Further information
For further information regarding the certification requirements for sea container inspection stands visit agriculture.gov.au or email: seafreightstands@aff.gov.au
Engineers Australia can also be contacted directly regarding the assessment process and for a list of assessed engineers; email: seafreight@engineersaustralia.org.au