17 October 2023

Kia ora koutou,

Biosecurity New Zealand has issued the new craft risk management standard Vessels (PDF, 1MB).

The new standard contains both the requirements from the craft risk management standard Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand (2018) and the requirements from the old craft risk management standard Vessels (2018). The requirements have been reviewed and updated to ensure they remain fit for purpose. We have had some delays issuing the standard and acknowledge this did not come in the timeframe you were expecting. Thank you for your support in this process.

Here are some of the key changes in Vessels:

• New minimum reporting requirements for vessel biofouling inspections;
• The number of days a short-stay vessel can stay in New Zealand has increased to 28 days;
• A new clause for cruise vessel management;
• Changes to risk periods for species of the Lymantria complex to align with changes to international regulations;
• Simplification of the allowable biofouling thresholds.

For more information on the changes, see our website. We will also be sending a further email shortly with an invitation link to a webinar series about these changes.

At this stage the operational code: Vessel Biofouling Inspection Provider Scheme (the Code) will not be issued with Vessels. We are currently assessing the operational aspects of this scheme and will keep industry members updated. This will not impact the operation of the new craft risk management standard Vessels.

If you have any questions about the standard Vessels or would like to discuss how to manage your vessel, please email standards@mpi.govt.nz.