Australia Bans Tankers Due to Seafarer Welfare

A Liberian-flagged oil tanker has been banned for six months by Australia's marine safety body due to difficulties with onboard welfare and underpayment of workers, being in violation of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC).

The AG Neptune, a 105,400 dwt vessel, was examined at the Port of Gladstone in June, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which received a complaint.

The crew members were collectively due around US$85,600 according to evidence discovered by AMSA during the inspection that the employment contract with 21 seafarers aboard the ship had not been honored. The food and water were not of the nutritional content, quantity, or quality required for sailors, according to evidence discovered by inspectors. It's also known that a seafarer who had an injury while aboard was not given proper medical attention.

The operator has been instructed to pay the unpaid wages and correct the faults after AMSA detained the ship. According to AMSA's Executive Director of Operations Michael Drake, two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements, and they were consistently underpaid regularly.“

Australia has zero tolerance for the underpayment of crew. This type of behavior is unethical and in contravention of the MLC. The international conventions that protect seafarers’ rights are very clear,” said Michael Drake.

“AMSA takes the MLC seriously and actively ensures seafarers’ health and well-being is upheld on all ships in Australia. Ships visiting Australian ports are on notice that if we find deliberate underpaying of crew they can expect penalties.”