Australian authorities are working with shipping company Armacup on a plan to release vehicles, after live brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) were found on the Triumph v1820.
The ship, which began its journey in China, is stuck off the coast of Port Kembla, New South Wales, and has vehicles destined for New Zealand.
A Department of Agriculture and Water Resources spokesman told AutoTalk it is working with the vessel operator on a proposal to manage the BMSB risk, including a treatment plan and ongoing monitoring of vessel.
The vessel has been directed to anchor at sea off Port Kembla to manage the risk, until a treatment plan has been approved by the department.
“If a treatment plan is not approved by the department, the vessel and its remaining cargo will be directed for export from Australian territory.
“The vessel is carrying new and used cars, as well as other machinery.”
Armacup updated customers on Friday last week, saying it is in continual discussions with DAWR to have a solution that is operationally possible.
“As it stands, Armacup is working on the possibility to discharge all Australian cargoes in Port Kembla subject to the ability to meet a number of very demanding DAWR requirements.
“At this point in time, it is not possible to provide an estimated time of discharge, nor how long the duration of full discharge would be.”
Another Armacup ship, Lake Como v1862, remains off the coast of Japan awaiting developments in Australia.
“If Triumph v1820 cannot be resolved with DAWR, then alternative options need to be considered for Lake Como.
“We are encouraged by the increasing number of responsible shippers and consignees taking actions at origin, which includes establishing ‘approved pathways’ based on the MPI approach taken for Japan exports.”
Signals indicate the stinkbug season will be as bad, if not worse, than experienced earlier this year, Armacup says.
“Whilst there are currently no mandatory measures in place for China and Korea, importers are nevertheless responsible for adherence to import regulations which include the prohibition of cargoes being contaminated by stinkbugs.”
Armacup has been contacted by AutoTalk for a situation update.
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