New biosecurity requirements for Darwin, Australia
by Daria Blackwell / OCC 9 Jan 2020 22:04 UTC
New biosecurity requirements for Darwin, Australia © Google Maps
Port of Darwin no longer a first point of entry for non-commercial vessels. Entry possible if permission is requested in writing prior to arrival.
As a result of changes to Australian biosecurity requirements, which came into effect on December 16, 2019, all non-commercial vessels including international yachts wishing to clear in through Darwin must now request permission in writing from the Department of Agriculture before their arrival. Darwin at the 'top' of the continent has become a popular port for arrivals by yacht.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, all international vessels and goods become subject to biosecurity control on entering Australian territorial seas. Vessels subject to biosecurity control must only enter Australia at ports that have been determined as first points of entry (FPOE) under section 229 of the Biosecurity Act 2015, unless permission has been granted by the department to enter a non-first point of entry (under subsection 247(2) of the Act).
Non-commercial vessels subject to biosecurity control (i.e. international yachts) are no longer permitted to arrive at Port of Darwin without prior written permission from the department. Yacht operators or their agents who intend to arrive at Darwin should contact the department to obtain a manual application form at .
This ensures that vessels enter Australia at a location that has appropriate facilities and personnel to manage the biosecurity risks to an acceptable level. FPOE for vessels is identified on a map with details of all the department's FPOEs for vessels.
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This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.