Blog · Biofouling Compliance
Evidentiary Requirements for DAFF Biofouling Inspections in Late 2026
Navigating Late 2026 Australian Arrivals
For ship operators, masters, and shipping agents preparing for a port call in Brisbane or other Australian ports in late 2026, biofouling compliance requires careful pre-arrival planning. Mandatory biofouling management regulations have been in force since 15 June 2022, meaning that vessels arriving in Australian territorial seas from international locations must adhere to strict federal biosecurity standards.
It is critical to distinguish between overlapping maritime jurisdictions. Biofouling compliance is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Biosecurity Amendment (Biofouling Management) Regulations 2021. This is an entirely separate regime from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which administers the anti-fouling systems (AFS) certification and port state control (PSC) inspections.
The MARS Pre-Arrival Report and Accepted Practices
Before a commercial vessel arrives in Australia, its operator must declare detailed biofouling information through DAFF's Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS). As outlined in the Australian biofouling management requirements for commercial vessels, relying on a compliant antifouling coating alone is not an accepted proactive biofouling management practice.
Instead, a commercial vessel must rely on one of exactly three accepted proactive practices. First, operators can implement a Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book consistent with the Australian Biofouling Management Requirements (ABFMR). Second, they can ensure all biofouling is cleaned from the hull and niche areas within 30 days prior to arrival. Third, they can implement an alternative management practice, provided an application is submitted and pre-approved by DAFF at least 30 days before arrival.
Aligning with ABFMR Version 4 Documentary Evidence
The regulatory landscape requires precise documentary evidence. The Australian Biofouling Management Requirements for Commercial Vessels (ABFMR-CV) Version 4 took effect on 30 April 2026. This updated version emphasizes the quality of documentation required during a DAFF inspection.
If your vessel relies on the first accepted practice, your Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book must strictly align with ABFMR Appendix A. If you opt for the second practice involving pre-arrival cleaning, you must provide an in-water cleaning report that meets the minimum content standards set out in ABFMR Appendix B. Ship agents should remind masters that DAFF biosecurity officers frequently ask to review this documentary evidence. If a vessel cannot demonstrate one of the three accepted practices, it will face additional scrutiny, targeted questions, and potential intervention.
To help operators and agents navigate these strict declarations, Berthfile offers a smart biofouling copilot. This feature simplifies drafting the required biofouling paperwork and ensures all DAFF requirements are accurately addressed before the MARS submission.
Intersection with IMO 2023 Guidelines
While DAFF sets the binding minimum standards for Australian arrivals, international best practices have also been updated. As highlighted by the International Maritime Organization, the introduction of invasive aquatic species to new environments by ships is a major threat to global biodiversity. To address this risk globally, the IMO adopted the 2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (resolution MEPC.378(80)).
These revised voluntary guidelines were formally adopted on 7 July 2023, as detailed in the MEPC 80 meeting summary, and they supersede the previous 2011 guidelines (MEPC.207(62)). While aligning a vessel's biofouling management plan with the IMO 2023 guidelines is excellent practice, remember that the IMO guidelines remain voluntary. Australia's binding legal minimum remains the ABFMR, and operators must ensure their plans satisfy DAFF's specific criteria.
Contingencies and Queensland In-Water Cleaning
In cases where a vessel arrives in Brisbane and requires reactive in-water hull cleaning, operators must navigate local rules. In-water hull cleaning in Queensland waters requires a separate biosecurity approval from Biosecurity Queensland (DETSI), on top of the federal requirements for capturing biofouling waste.
Finally, while DAFF manages biosecurity, vessels must remain ready for AMSA's rigorous port state control regime. According to AMSA's 2024 Annual Inspections Report (published in May 2025), inspectors conducted 2,264 initial PSC inspections, resulting in 133 detentions and a 5.9 percent detention rate. Safety management systems (ISM) accounted for the largest category of detainable deficiencies at 27.57 percent. By utilizing the Berthfile free PSC risk check alongside proactive biofouling preparation, ship operators can ensure their vessels are comprehensively ready for a compliant and efficient port call in Australia.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Always consult the latest DAFF and AMSA publications before your voyage.