20 August 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents—associated with shipping or importing goods subject to increased intervention during the 2024-25 BMSB risk season, and shipping lines that have previously participated in the department’s Vessel Seasonal Pest Scheme (VSPS).
What has changed?
Following the department's annual review of the VSPS, the department has made the decision to discontinue the scheme. This action has been taken due to the minimal benefits of managing seasonal pests on VSPS vessels compared to managing seasonal pests on non-VSPS vessels. Therefore, to optimise the management of biosecurity risks on all Ro-Ro vessels that are subject to seasonal pest risks and to simplify the pre-arrival reporting requirements for vessels the department made the decision to discontinue to scheme. No alternative scheme will be implemented in its place.
Vessel surveillance for specified vessel types
Between 1 September and 15 June all Ro-Ro vessels are sent a Seasonal Pest Questionnaire (SPQ) as part of their pre-arrival reporting.
Ro-Ro vessels that have berthed at, loaded or transhipped cargo from target risk countries will be directed to perform at least one crew vessel inspection prior to arrival. A crew vessel inspection is an inspection performed by the ship’s crew of the vessel and its cargo for hitchhiker pests. All findings must be reported via the mandatory SPQ.
All Ro-Ro vessels will be required to perform at least one crew vessel inspection. Where insects are detected, the vessel will be required to perform two additional inspections over 48 hours.
Other vessels must report the detection of any insects as part of their ordinary pre-arrival reporting. When BMSB or other actionable exotic species are reported, the vessels will be directed to perform a crew vessel inspection.
Further information
Further information on the seasonal measures for vessels can be found on our website here or by emailing SPP@aff.gov.au.
Information on pre-arrival reporting for maritime vessels can be found on the department’s website under Vessels, or by contacting the department’s National Maritime Centre (NMC) by email or phone 1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).