The trusted voice of the industry
for more than 30 years

MPI releases strict policy for vessels

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) have released their current policy regarding the discharge of vessels that have departed from Japan and vessels that have departed from Japan, but have been directed out of New Zealand due to Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) and Yellow Spotted Stink Bugs (YSSB).
Posted on 22 February, 2018

Vessels that have departed from Japan and have not been inspected

Vessels will be fogged and inspected by MPI on arrival. Any vessel deemed as high risk by MPI, due to high number of BMSB and YSSB after inspection, will be ordered out of NZ territorial waters. If vessel passes initial inspection and is deemed low risk by MPI a small sample is to be discharged and inspected further by MPI and, or a MPI sniffer dog. Any at risk cargo will require heat treatment for possible BMSB and YSSB. If no BMSB and YSSB are found, controlled discharging and inspections will continue until all cargo operations are completed. It is expected to take 2-3 days for vessel to complete operations. If further BMSB and YSSB are found during inspection of discharged cargo then vessel risk will be re-assessed and if risk is to high the vessel will be ordered out of New Zealand territorial waters.

Vessels already inspected and directed to leave New Zealand waters by MPI due to BMSB/YSSB (high risk)

Only one high risk vessel is allowed alongside Auckland at any time. Vessels will be fogged on arrival, then any live BMSB and YSSB found after fogging will see the vessel ordered out of New Zealand territorial waters. If there are no live BMSB and YSSB are found, MPI require 20 per cent of cargo from each cargo deck for heat treatment and inspection.  Any BMSB and YSSB found during the heat treatment process is deemed at high risk of BMSB and YSSB contamination and all non-heat-treated cargo is required to re loaded back onto the vessel. The vessel will be ordered out of New Zealand territorial waters. The next deck treatment will not be started until the previous deck treatment is completed. Berthing priority will be given to non-high-risk vessels. If no berth is available for these vessels, the high-risk vessel will be moved off to anchor and heat treatment and inspections will stop until the high risk vessel is back on the berth. Due to the limited number of vessels per day that the heat treatment facility at Ports of Auckland is able to process, it is estimated that heat treating and inspections for high risk vessels could take up to 20-30 days per vessel. This is subject to how often the high-risk vessel is required to be moved off the berth  Vessels affected to date are the Courageous Ace and two other non Mitsui Osk Lines (MOL) vessels, Tokyo Car and Morning Menad.

Based on the above policy, the MOL have released an updated schedule for the Courageous Ace and Glovis Caravel.

Courageous Ace

Fogging is still due to commence on approximately 23rd of Feb off Brisbane, once conditions are more favourable. Due to the requirement to be 100 per cent clear of BMSB and YSSB, MOL are likely to re-access the vessel post fogging and if any further treatment is required. There is currently a high-risk vessel already on the berth in Auckland, so the Courageous Ace will have to wait for the berth to come available. As high risk vessels in Auckland may require 20-30 days to complete MPI inspection we are unable to advise the berth date for Courageous Ace at this time. Once berth in Auckland is confirmed, the Courageous Ace will depart Brisbane and will be assessed for BMSB and YSSB by MPI under the high-risk process.

Glovis Caravel

Glovis Caravel has arrived in New Zealand and is anchored out at sea off Auckland. Plans are being finalised to fog the Glovis Caravel out at sea by a New Zealand fumigation company. The Glovis Caravel will be re-assessed for BMSB and YSSB after initial fogging and if any further fogging or treatment is required. Until vessel is cleared of BMSB and YSSB we are unable to advise the berth date for the Glovis Caravel at this time. Once berth in Auckland is confirmed the Glovis Caravel will be assessed for BMSB and YSSB by MPI as risk to be assessed policy.