AQIS Approved Ballast Water

Management Options
for ships entering Australia from 1 July 2001

The vessel Master will be required to undertake one of the following ballast water management
options or combination of options prior to arrival in Australian ports or waters for all high-risk ballast
water intended for discharge. Following completion the Master must notify AQIS of the action taken
by means of the 'Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report for Vessels (Pratique) (QPAR) which must be sent to
the vessels agent 12 – 48 hours prior to arrival at the first Australian port of call. No ballast water can
be discharged in Australian ports or waters without written permission from AQIS.

The following management options are approved by AQIS:

• No discharge of high risk ballast water

All high risk ballast water must remain on board the vessel.

• Ballast water exchange

Exchange of ballast water at sea prior to arrival at Australia's 12 nautical mile limit and where possible in a
depth of water that is at least 200 metres or greater. Ballast water uptake and discharge is to be conducted in
a manner consistent with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines. The IMO standard for full
ballast water exchange is a 95% volumetric exchange or better. Approved methods for ballast water exchange
are:
• Sequential method (empty / refill)
• Flow through method
• Dilution method.

• Tank to tank transfer

Ballast water may be moved from tank to tank to avoid discharge of high risk ballast water.

• Other treatment options

AQIS will assess other ballast water treatment methods on a case by case basis. Approval for alternative
treatment options must be obtained prior to any discharge in Australian ports or waters.

Verification inspections

Verification inspections of vessels ballast water documentation (including vessel logbooks) will be
undertaken by AQIS to determine that an approved management option was performed on all high risk
ballast water intended for discharge in Australian ports or waters.

Compliance

Where a vessel arrives in Australian ports or waters with high risk ballast water intended for discharge and
an approved treatment has not been performed, the vessel may be required to return to sea to perform an
approved treatment prior to ballast water discharge.

AGRICULTURE FISHERIES AND FORESTRY - AUSTRALIA

Date of Effect 1 July 2001