Australia Impose 12-Month Entry Ban on Disabled Bulk Carrier

After being marooned for an extended period in a central Queensland port, a post-Panamax bulk carrier has been towed back out to sea and is now restricted from entering Australia.

In October of the previous year, the KMAX Leader docked at the Port of Gladstone, poised to embark on a coal shipment destined for Southeast Asia.

However, the ship was held at the port due to mechanical issues, and repairs were delayed for nearly four months.

The ship is presently undergoing towing operations, with the destination set for the Philippines, where it will undergo the required repairs.

On Thursday, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a 12-month ban, preventing it from returning to any Australian port.

“The lack of information forthcoming from the owners of KMAX Leader has been very disappointing,” Michael Drake, serving as AMSA's executive director of operations, remarked. “AMSA expects all ship operators and Masters to engage promptly, transparently and meaningfully.”

“International standards exist to protect the lives of seafarers and our precious marine and coastal environments. They are not optional,” He incorporated that into his statement.

The KMAX Leader, belonging to Porto Mare in the Philippines as per VesselsValue data, marks the tenth ship prohibited from entering Australian ports in the last twelve months.