How does a ship determine if domestic ballast water is high-risk?
The risk status of any domestic ballast water is assessed by the ship or the ship’s agent prior to entering Victorian state waters by accessing the risk assessment tool. (see section 3 of PEM for details) (PDF). The risk assessment tool is a computer software application developed by the Australian Government in consultation with industry. The risk assessment tool undertakes a biological risk assessment that predicts the likelihood of entry of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ballast water on a tank-by-tank basis. The assessment relies on ballast uptake and discharge information entered by a ship’s Master or agent. The risk assessment tool will assess the domestic ballast water as either ‘low risk’ or ‘high risk’. If the risk assessment tool is not used, ballast water is regarded as high risk. High-risk ballast water must not be discharged to Victorian state waters.
