A CAR carrier has been ordered to leave Australian waters following a stink bug discovery.
The vessel MV Morning Composer was initially due to call at Fremantle on 26 November, however inspections found both live and dead buds on board.
As of Friday afternoon (14 December), the ship was north-west of Perth.
In a statement to customers, ship operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean said the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources had issued “a written directive” for Morning Composer to depart Australian waters and for all cargo to undergo treatment prior to delivery.
The new will now be sailed to Bintan in Indonesia.
In its statement, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean said it had worked closely with Australian Authorities and takes seriously its responsibilities to ensure pests are not transported to Australia.
“Part of this responsibility is monitoring and inspection on board the vessel for possible biosecurity risks,” the company stated.
“Ensuring biosecurity compliance is the responsibility of the importer, and at the same time the presentation of clean cargo at the port of load is, at all times, the responsibility of the shipper.”
Costs associated with the vessel deviation, treatment and return of cargoes to Australia are to be shared between WW Ocean and cargo owners.
“WW Ocean would like to express its sincere regret at this situation, which has occurred outside of our control and despite our best efforts to mitigate,” WWO stated.
“Despite adherence to all rules and regulations, contaminated cargo has been presented for shipment and loaded, triggering the severe disruption to Morning Composer’s voyage. We fully recognise the impact on our customers supply chains and business resulting from this significant delay.”
Late last month, the Liberian-flagged ro-ro, Triumph, was expelled from Australian waters following the discovery of the dreaded bug.
