invasive species

The number of idling vessels has roughly doubled in the past decade, in part due to port congestion, a recent study finds. Idling vessels are at higher risk of biofouling, especially in warm waters.

Australia’s border biosecurity system was stretched “close to breaking point” and had “severe impacts on sections of the shipping and exporting industries,” says the Inspector-General of Biosecurity.

Infestations of the brown marmorated stink bug found on ships en-route to Australia are causing havoc with local supply chains. Bugs are breeding, ships are re-routing, trucks are idling and supply chains are collapsing.