Blog · Biofouling Compliance
IMO 2023 & ABFMR v4: Biofouling Plans for Australian Ports
The 2026 Landscape for Australian Arrivals
Australia's strict biofouling requirements, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under the Biosecurity Act 2015, have been mandatory for international arrivals since 15 June 2022. For vessel operators, masters, and shipping agents preparing for a port call in 2026, the baseline for compliance has evolved. The Australian Biofouling Management Requirements for Commercial Vessels (ABFMR-CV) Version 4 took effect on 30 April 2026. Please note this post provides general information for maritime professionals and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.
Reporting Through MARS: The Three Accepted Practices
Before a vessel arrives in Australian territorial seas, operators must submit biofouling information through DAFF's Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS) pre-arrival report. According to DAFF's biofouling requirements for commercial vessels, operators must demonstrate they are using one of exactly three accepted proactive biofouling management practices:
- Operating under a vessel-specific Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book consistent with ABFMR standards.
- Cleaning all biofouling from the hull and niche areas within 30 days before arrival.
- Implementing an alternative management practice pre-approved by DAFF, with applications submitted at least 30 days prior to arrival.
It is critical for operators to understand that a compliant antifouling coating alone is not recognized as an accepted proactive management practice for entry. Furthermore, do not confuse DAFF's biosecurity mandate with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which separately administers the anti-fouling systems (AFS) certification and port state control regimes.
Aligning with the IMO 2023 Guidelines (MEPC.378(80))
For most commercial fleets, relying on a Biofouling Management Plan (BFMP) and Record Book (BFRB) is the most practical of the three options. However, to pass DAFF scrutiny, these documents must be rigorous. The global standard is the IMO 2023 Biofouling Guidelines, adopted via resolution MEPC.378(80) on 7 July 2023, which supersede the older 2011 guidelines.
While the IMO guidelines remain voluntary at the international level, Australia's binding minimum is dictated by the ABFMR. According to the IMO's GloFouling Partnerships documentation, the revised 2023 guidelines place a heavier emphasis on proactive inspections and niche area management.
A compliant BFMP must be highly specific to the vessel. Under the ABFMR Version 4 standards, the plan must list exact vessel particulars including the IMO number, date of construction, vessel type, gross tonnage, beam, length overall, and draughts. It must also explicitly state the dates of the most recent and next scheduled dry-docking. Crucially, the BFMP needs to outline detailed inspection schedules, designate management actions for specific niche areas, and list the biofouling risk parameters to be monitored while the vessel is in operation.
In-Water Cleaning and Record Keeping
Implementing the BFMP requires diligent logging in the Biofouling Record Book. Entries in the BFRB must be signed and dated by the vessel owner or the crew member in charge of the activity, proving that the proactive measures in the BFMP were actually carried out.
If a vessel undergoes in-water cleaning to manage biofouling, the resulting documentation must meet specific regulatory standards. Under ABFMR-CV Version 4, Appendix B sets out the mandatory minimum content for an in-water cleaning report. This evidence must be readily available if a DAFF biosecurity officer requests it during a vessel inspection.
Operators planning proactive cleaning within Australian waters face additional regulatory hurdles. For example, in-water hull cleaning in Queensland waters requires separate approval from Biosecurity Queensland (part of DETSI), above and beyond the federal DAFF capture requirements. The approval process is complex, often involving multiple government agencies and port authorities assessing both biosecurity risks and environmental impacts.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Port Call
To ensure a smooth clearance process and minimize the risk of targeted interventions upon arrival in Australia, masters and operators should take the following steps:
- Audit your Biofouling Management Plan against both the IMO 2023 Guidelines (MEPC.378(80)) and the ABFMR Version 4 standards.
- Verify that the Biofouling Record Book is up to date, accurately reflecting the schedules listed in the BFMP.
- Ensure the MARS pre-arrival report is accurately completed with matching documentary evidence ready for DAFF inspection.
- If relying on an alternative biofouling management method, ensure the application is submitted to DAFF at least 30 days before arrival.
Using specialized decision-support tools can significantly streamline this preparation. Ship operators and agents can utilize Berthfile's biofouling copilot to cross-check their documentation against current DAFF standards, ensuring all MARS reporting requirements are met well before the vessel reaches Australian territorial seas.