Regulations

Port of Townsville Limited is responsible for effectively and efficiently managing and operating port facilities and services at the Port of Townsville as well as ensuring appropriate levels of safety, security, and availability.

Port Notices

The Port Notices regulate all activities in areas under the control of Port of Townsville Limited.

Port Notices apply to all port users including their employees, passengers, visitors, clients, employees of client organisations, contractors, as well as visitors and the general public entering port controlled/administered land and facilities.

Download Port Notices (JULY 2020)

Pre-Arrival Requirements for Biosecurity

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, together with other Australian government departments, is responsible for operations related to importing goods to Australia.  The department provides updates and notices that are useful to the industry.

The department manages biosecurity controls to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering this country.

Vessel masters and shipping agents are reminded:

• to read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions, and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage in Australia;
• any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of travellers, must be submitted via MARS or reported to the MNCC as soon as practicable; and
• that a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties or criminal prosecutions.

Vessel Pratique     MARS Offline Forms

IMO 2020 Requirements and Use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems

As per IMO 2020, all vessels will be required either to use a compliant fuel or be fitted with an exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS / Scrubber).  Vessels using an EGCS are required to notify AMSA before first arrival at an Australian Port since 1 January 2020.

AMSA - Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems

Any marine discharge within port limits must comply with the relevant Annexes of MARPOL and in accordance with Appendix 3 of the IMO 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.259(68)).

AMSA’s notice 12/2022 states that ‘While there are no prohibitions on the discharge of wash water from EGCS in Australian waters, some port Authorities may encourage vessels to avoid discharging wash water within port limits.’  As a Great Barrier Reef Port, best practice would be for vessels to use Annex VI compliant fuel when in Port to avoid the use of scrubbers and resultant discharge of wash water.  

Residues generated by EGCSs cannot be discharged anywhere at sea, or incinerated on board, as required by MEPC.259(68) section 10.4.  Vessel compliance with MARPOL Annex VI requirements, whilst in Australian waters, will be monitored by the AMSA as the Port State Control Authority for Australia.  Importantly, in the event of a malfunction, if an EGCS cannot be returned to a compliant condition within one hour, the vessel must then change over to compliant Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO).

Frequently Asked Questions