WW Ocean, the ocean transport division of the global Wallenius Wilhelmsen group, has called for both Australian and New Zealand officials to come up with a tough and unified approach to avoid further issues caused by the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).The RORO operator has been hit by costly delays due to BMSB finds on its ships, with the Carmen and The Morning Lynn the most recent to be affected.
In the statement, WW Ocean appeals to Australia’s Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to take action following recent delays to cargo shipped to Australia and New Zealand that have disrupted businesses’ supply chains.
“To prevent BMSB from entering Australia and New Zealand all cargo shipped there must be free of contamination of any kind, particularly live insects, and if from a country classed as high-risk, it must be treated prior to loading. Ensuring compliance is the responsibility of the importer, whilst the presentation of clean cargo at the port of load is the responsibility of the shipper.”
According to WW Ocean, however, the current regulations are neither consistent nor effective. Specifically;
- While cargo from countries classified as ‘high risk’ sources of BMSB has to be treated in line with DAWR and MPI requirements prior to loading, cargo from neighbouring countries – some of which are known to be sources of BMSB – are not covered by regulation. The criteria for classifying a country ‘high risk’ have not been clearly defined by either the DAWR or MPI. The DAWR and MPI have not, as yet, aligned on which countries are ‘high risk’ or on acceptable treatment methods.
- Implementation of current regulations is inconsistent between different modes of transport. For example, if live or dead BMSB are detected on a RORO (roll-on roll-off) carrier, the entire vessel is subject to scrutiny, often leading to delays of days or weeks, while their detection in a container generally is limited to that single unit. In addition, airfreight cargo does not receive the same amount of scrutiny by the regulatory authorities despite reported instances of infestation.
- The DAWR has recently suggested that carriers refuse untreated cargo from countries that are not classified ‘high risk’, rather than expanding regulation to these countries. This would create an untenable situation, with carriers required to adopt practices that are out of step with regulation.
WW Global says in the statement it welcomed a call for an indendepent investigation into the issue made by the Freight and Trade Alliance, and is also calling for customers to lobby the government bodies through trade associations.
Among the items on its wish list is an increase in the number of BMSB treatment seats, allowing the development and use of near or onshore treatment solutions in New Zealand and Australia, more engagement between regulators, exporters and importers an consistent regulations across all vessel types and transportation modes.
Simon White, WW Ocean’s chief commercial officer says WW Ocean is committed to playing its part in stopping the speared of BMSB.
“Regrettably, however, the current regulations are neither consistent nor effective; they continue to pose a risk to the agricultural industry, while delaying cargo that is essential to many sectors of the economy,” White says.
“We appeal to both the DAWR and MPI to engage with industry to find a solution that will be effective before the next BMSB season begins in September. If no solution is found, the result could be devastating for the Australian and New Zealand economies.”
