Is your car a biohazard? Find out why 1,000 Kia vehicles were denied entry to Australia!
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Kia Australia has confirmed that approximately 1,000 of its vehicles have been denied entry into Australia due to a biosecurity risk.
The culprit? A stink bug infestation onboard the Glovis Caravel car-carrier ship. This incident has also affected a large number of Tesla Model Y electric SUVs bound for Australia, with the ship being ordered to return to China.
The Glovis Caravel has a carrying capacity of 6,500 vehicles
While it remains unclear exactly which Kia models are currently onboard the Glovis Caravel, a CarExpert reader confirmed that a Sportage they ordered back in September 2022 is among the affected vehicles.
The Glovis Caravel reached a port in Shanghai, China, at 6:00 p.m.. on January 02, according to ship trackers.
'The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, & Forestry (DAFF) has determined that all vehicles on Glovis Caravel will require treatment prior to being allowed to discharge in Australia,' said a Kia Australia spokesperson.
‘The vessel has been sent offshore to undertake the required treatment and it is anticipated this cargo will return to Australia during February.’
'Around 1,000 Kia vehicles are impacted and the Kia dealer network has been notified. Kia Australia is working with all relevant parties to have the situation resolved as soon as possible,' the spokesperson added.
The DAFF confirmed that live Yellow Spotted Stink Bugs were found onboard the Glovis Caravel, in addition to other biosecurity risks.
‘The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working with a vehicle carrier to manage biosecurity risk posed by live insects detected on the vessel and its goods,’ said a spokesperson for the department.
‘The vessel became subject to biosecurity control upon entry into Australian territory. The Department understands that the vessel has left Australian territory in order to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the goods.’
‘There were multiple detections, including Yellow Spotted Stink Bug which poses a significant threat to Australia’s plant health and environment because of the damage it can do to agricultural crops, fruit and ornamental trees.’
‘The department’s primary concern is the management of biosecurity risk to protect Australia. The goods can be unloaded when biosecurity risks have been managed to an acceptable level.’
Oddly enough, this isn't the first time the Glovis Caravel has faced such an issue. In 2018, the ship was ordered to leave New Zealand after the new crew found around 600 stink bugs, with 12 of them still alive.
Kia Australia also confirmed that it was impacted by a similar situation in 2019 with the Dugong Ace car-carrier ship.
Understanding Biosecurity Risks in the Automotive Industry
Biosecurity risks in the automotive industry are not as uncommon as one might think. Vehicles are often transported across continents and oceans, and in the process, they can inadvertently become carriers of various pests and diseases.
This is particularly true for ships like the Glovis Caravel, which can carry thousands of vehicles at a time.
The Yellow Spotted Stink Bug, for instance, is a notorious pest that poses a significant threat to agriculture.
These bugs are known to feed on a wide variety of crops, causing extensive damage. They are also known to reproduce rapidly, making infestations difficult to control.
In order to protect local agriculture and ecosystems, countries like Australia have strict biosecurity measures in place.
These measures include thorough inspections of imported goods, including vehicles, and in cases where biosecurity threats are detected, the goods are either treated or denied entry.
For consumers, this can mean delays in receiving their vehicles. However, these measures are crucial for protecting the local environment and economy from potentially devastating pest invasions.
What Can You Do?
If you've ordered a Kia vehicle or a Tesla Model Y electric SUV, it's advisable to get in touch with your dealer for updates on the delivery of your vehicle.
While these incidents can cause inconvenience, it's important to remember that these measures are in place to protect our environment and agriculture.
Have you been affected by this recent biosecurity issue? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
The culprit? A stink bug infestation onboard the Glovis Caravel car-carrier ship. This incident has also affected a large number of Tesla Model Y electric SUVs bound for Australia, with the ship being ordered to return to China.
The Glovis Caravel has a carrying capacity of 6,500 vehicles
While it remains unclear exactly which Kia models are currently onboard the Glovis Caravel, a CarExpert reader confirmed that a Sportage they ordered back in September 2022 is among the affected vehicles.
A Kia Sportage, a similar car from the ones turned back in China. Image: CarExpert
The Glovis Caravel reached a port in Shanghai, China, at 6:00 p.m.. on January 02, according to ship trackers.
'The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, & Forestry (DAFF) has determined that all vehicles on Glovis Caravel will require treatment prior to being allowed to discharge in Australia,' said a Kia Australia spokesperson.
‘The vessel has been sent offshore to undertake the required treatment and it is anticipated this cargo will return to Australia during February.’
'Around 1,000 Kia vehicles are impacted and the Kia dealer network has been notified. Kia Australia is working with all relevant parties to have the situation resolved as soon as possible,' the spokesperson added.
The DAFF confirmed that live Yellow Spotted Stink Bugs were found onboard the Glovis Caravel, in addition to other biosecurity risks.
‘The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working with a vehicle carrier to manage biosecurity risk posed by live insects detected on the vessel and its goods,’ said a spokesperson for the department.
‘The vessel became subject to biosecurity control upon entry into Australian territory. The Department understands that the vessel has left Australian territory in order to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the goods.’
‘There were multiple detections, including Yellow Spotted Stink Bug which poses a significant threat to Australia’s plant health and environment because of the damage it can do to agricultural crops, fruit and ornamental trees.’
‘The department’s primary concern is the management of biosecurity risk to protect Australia. The goods can be unloaded when biosecurity risks have been managed to an acceptable level.’
Oddly enough, this isn't the first time the Glovis Caravel has faced such an issue. In 2018, the ship was ordered to leave New Zealand after the new crew found around 600 stink bugs, with 12 of them still alive.
Kia Australia also confirmed that it was impacted by a similar situation in 2019 with the Dugong Ace car-carrier ship.
Understanding Biosecurity Risks in the Automotive Industry
Biosecurity risks in the automotive industry are not as uncommon as one might think. Vehicles are often transported across continents and oceans, and in the process, they can inadvertently become carriers of various pests and diseases.
This is particularly true for ships like the Glovis Caravel, which can carry thousands of vehicles at a time.
The Yellow Spotted Stink Bug, for instance, is a notorious pest that poses a significant threat to agriculture.
These bugs are known to feed on a wide variety of crops, causing extensive damage. They are also known to reproduce rapidly, making infestations difficult to control.
In order to protect local agriculture and ecosystems, countries like Australia have strict biosecurity measures in place.
These measures include thorough inspections of imported goods, including vehicles, and in cases where biosecurity threats are detected, the goods are either treated or denied entry.
For consumers, this can mean delays in receiving their vehicles. However, these measures are crucial for protecting the local environment and economy from potentially devastating pest invasions.
What Can You Do?
If you've ordered a Kia vehicle or a Tesla Model Y electric SUV, it's advisable to get in touch with your dealer for updates on the delivery of your vehicle.
While these incidents can cause inconvenience, it's important to remember that these measures are in place to protect our environment and agriculture.
Have you been affected by this recent biosecurity issue? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
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