TIM eMagazine Vol . 3 Issue 5
Bulk Carrier Hong-Kong flagged MV Shandong Hai Wang
Credit : www . amsa . gov . au
Bulk carrier banned for underpaying crew
T he Australian Maritime Safety Authority ( AMSA ) has banned the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier MV Shandong Hai Wang for 12 months after it was discovered that crew had been deliberately underpaid .
AMSA received information from the International Transport Workers ’ Federation alleging discrepancies in the payment of crew wages . AMSA surveyors boarded the ship on arrival in Gladstone . During the inspection , the surveyors found evidence that crew had been deliberately underpaid by about $ 56,000 ( AUD ) from the amount specified in their seafarer employment agreements .
The ship was immediately detained for breaching the Maritime Labour Convention which sets out seafarers ' rights to decent working conditions .
AMSA ’ s General Manager of Operations , Allan Schwartz , said AMSA would not tolerate ships that underpay their crew in Australia .
“ The international conventions that protect seafarers ' rights are very clear ,” Mr Schwartz said , adding “ this is the fourth time in the last year that a ship has been banned from Australian ports for underpaying crew .”
“ AMSA takes a zero-tolerance approach to the mistreatment of crew and all ships coming to our shores should be aware of the consequences ,” Mr Schwartz said .
“ Ships visiting Australian ports are put on notice . The next ship we find deliberately and repeatedly underpaying its crew and attempting to deceive authorities , can expect an even more severe penalty than that handed to the Shandong Hai Wang .”
The Shandong Hai Wang is operated by Qilu Ship Management Co . Limited .
AMSA received confirmation today , Thursday 12 July , that all outstanding wages had been received by the crew . The ship has been released from detention this afternoon and issued with a direction notice banning its return to Australian ports for 12 months . www . amsa . gov . au /
“ The international conventions that protect seafarers ' rights are very clear ,” Mr Schwartz said , adding “ this is the fourth time in the last year that a ship has been banned from Australian ports for underpaying crew .”
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