Australian Ballast Water Management FAQs
The biosecurity problem of invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens has been recognised in Australia early on. In 2001, Australia introduced mandatory ballast water management requirements to protect Australia’s marine environment from invasive threats.
All vessels designed to carry ballast water are required to carry a valid Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) under the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements. The ballast water treatment system is part of BWMP.
The Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements set out the obligations on vessel operators with regards to the management of ballast water and ballast tank sediment when operating within Australian seas. These requirements include legislative obligations under the:
- Biosecurity Act 2015 (Biosecurity Act), and
- International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Convention).
The requirements provide guidance for vessel operators on best practice policies and apply to all vessels operating internationally and domestically in Australia.
Source: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements Version 7
The Biosecurity Act was recently by the Biosecurity Amendment (Ballast Water and Other Measures) Act 2017. This allowed Australia to ratify the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Convention).
Choose a compliant supplier
Alfa Laval Australia provides the mandatory system compliance required by IMO/USCG to International vessels equipped with Alfa Laval BWS (Ballast Water Systems). See products
Consider the After Sales service and support of your BWS. Alfa Laval has been servicing marine customers and ships with a strong local service presence for 95 years in Australia.
Navigating ballast water regulations
Let’s get real! Picking up from Episode 1, we’ll look at real water characteristics in different world ports – and see why some type-approved ballast water treatment systems won’t work there. You’ll be introduced to Compliance Navigator, a free new tool that compares system limitations with the conditions on your vessel’s trade routes. Using Compliance Navigator, you can avoid problems and stay free to sail like you always have.
