February
2016
Maritime Arrivals
Reporting System
(MARS)
Replacing the Vessel
Monitoring System (VMS)
Biosecurity
New technology will soon make entering Australia by sea more
efficient with the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS).
Who it will affect
MARS will be used by all international vessel masters and
shipping agents who undertake functions to meet Department
of Agriculture and Water Recourses pre-arrival reporting
requirements and associated biosecurity vessel clearance at
the Australian border.
Why we are changing
For more than 20 years, the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
has been the main system holding information related to
international vessel arrivals. Masters and shipping agents have
used a combination of SmartForms and email to submit their
pre-arrival documentation for entry into Australia.
Feedback from industry, government and community groups,
changing global demands, growing trade volumes and
increasing imports have prompted the change to a modern,
more efficient and effective system for vessel reporting and
management.
More broadly, the department is improving accessibility of
services and making it easier to find information by
implementing modern and streamlined ways to deliver our
services. MARS is being developed within the principles of
a modern service delivery approach.
From the Executive
‘MARS is a significant project
for the department. System
development is progressing
well and it will be released in a
phased approach to ensure
stakeholders have every
opportunity to review and
user-test the system
throughout 2016.
Tina Hutchinson
Assistant Secretary
Pathway Compliance
Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS)
Benefits to you
MARS will meet current and future challenges. Features include:
• Client ‘self-service’ web portal interface to easily lodge prearrival documentation online, view status and see biosecurity
directions
• Comprehensive recording of data for better targeted, riskbased intervention and reduced intervention for compliant
vessels
• Greater transparency of departmental requirements
• Automated fee processes and better data capture to improve
efficiency and effectiveness of invoicing.
Helping you comply
One of the key policy initiatives being developed in conjunction with
MARS is a Vessel Compliance Scheme (VCS) to bring about greater
transparency of what department officers look for when boarding a
vessel and the consequences of a demerit action or non-compliance.
The department knows that the majority of clients either do or want to
do the right thing. Most non-compliance occurs due to vessel masters,
crew and shipping agents being unaware of biosecurity requirements
and demerit action.
The VCS will enable a greater understanding and compliance with
department requirements by vessel masters and crew. MARS and the
VCS will ensure more entities comply so the department can better
target resources for those entities who display opportunistic or
deliberate non-compliant behavior.
Release of the system
Engagement with clients and stakeholders is ongoing. MARS is being
tested by a number of industry clients, with the system targeted for a
staged release in 2016.
More information
For more information on MARS including frequently asked questions
visit vessels.
The department welcomes continued feedback and questions on MARS,
email cd.MARS@agriculture.gov.au or contact vessels direct on
+61 2 6272 5557.
______________________________________________
Contact
Vessels 02 6272 5557
Email
cd.MARS@agriculture.gov.au
__________________________________________
For More Information
agricultures.gov.au/biosecurity/avm/vessels