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The fumigation of the shipment of whole pine logs bound for China has been moved to an anchorage about 2 nautical miles offshore from the Burnie Port.
The Tasmanian Ports Corporation (Tasports) and Forestry Tasmania said today that a detailed risk assessment had been carried out for the offshore anchorage alternative.
Tasports’ Chief Executive Officer Paul Weedon and Forestry Tasmania’s Acting Managing Director Hans Drielsma said the in-hold fumigation of a ship at anchorage had different risks and costs but, following a full risk assessment and consultation with all the relevant authorities, they were now confident it could carry out the fumigation off shore.
“We are confident there was no risk to our employees, other port users or the public from in-hold fumigation at Burnie Port but we accept there is a high level of public concern and have therefore worked with our customer, Forestry Tasmania and the Minister for Energy and Resources Bryan Green to find a safe alternative,” Mr Weedon said.
Dr Drielsma said the decision was the best possible outcome.
“It’s a relief to be able to finally settle on a solution that will satisfy most reasonable people. It could not have been achieved without the constructive assistance of the Minister, the Burnie City Council and Tasports,” Dr Drielsma said.
“Given the level of concern, justified or not, FT will in future avoid requiring in-hold methyl bromide fumigation of ships at berth.
“Exports are important to the economy and to keeping forest contractors in work. We will now work strenuously to either identify new markets, or new ways to export, where in hold fumigation is not required,” Dr Drielsma said.
Mr Weedon said the ship’s master had responsibility for the safety of the ship and its crew and would have the final say on when the fumigation would take place – subject to sea and weather conditions.
Tasports’ trained and licensed employees, with all appropriate safety equipment including breathing apparatus, would carry out the operation and also constantly monitor conditions during the fumigation and controlled venting of methyl bromide.
“They have the expertise and authority to suspend the fumigation if adverse conditions arise,” Mr Weedon said.
Once the fumigation process is completed, the ship will return to berth where the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service will inspect a sample of the cargo to ensure the success of the operation.
The ship ID Black Sea is now scheduled to arrive at Burnie Port between the 9th and 11th of July after first visiting Bell Bay. Once loaded it will move to an anchorage North-East of the Burnie breakwater.
Mr Weedon said that over the past several days Tasports and Forestry Tasmania had explored a number of possible alternatives and consulted with all relevant regulatory authorities.
To ensure the safety of all other sea users, Tasports planned to apply for and publicise an exclusion zone around the ship during the operation which was expected to take about two days.
Contacts for further information:
Michael Lester- Tel: 6224 8644 or 0425 235 157
Or Kristy Richardson on 0448 378 314
