TWO bulk carriers operated by Aswan Shipping, Movers 3 and Maryam, are still detained at Weipa and Port Kembla, after the Australian Maritime Safety Authority found appalling conditions on board and evidence of breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention. 

AMSA inspected and detained Movers 3 (IMO: 9250244) in Weipa on 4 March, and on 19 February detained its sister-ship, Maryam (IMO 9272864) in Port Kembla for similar deficiencies, including a lack of power onboard. 

Movers 3 

For Movers 3 to be released from detention, AMSA required Aswan Shipping to: 

  • repatriate one crew member, as requested by the crew member after he resigned, 
  • ensure the ship is stocked with sufficient provisions and fresh water for its next voyage, and 
  • survey the vessel to ensure that the vessel certificates are revalidated. 

AMSA said Aswan Shipping had repatriated the crewmember, while Movers 3 remains detained at anchor in Weipa. 

Also, the cargo supplier, which, according to the ITF is Rio Tinto, stepped in and provided sufficient provisions for the ship, while AMSA said Aswan Shipping has failed to act in this regard. 

“Fresh water generation equipment on the ship is functioning and therefore supply of water has been resolved in the short term,” AMSA said. 

“AMSA is waiting for confirmation on when the ship’s classification society is expected to conduct the required surveys.” 

Maryam 

AMSA detained the bulker Maryam in Port Kembla on 19 February after identifying dozens of deficiencies relating to equipment maintenance and working and living conditions onboard. 

The authority said the ship was deemed unseaworthy and conditions onboard were sub-standard and in breach of the Maritime Labour Convention. The ship will remain under detention at Port Kembla until the deficiencies have been rectified. 

 AMSA said Aswan Shipping has been making arrangements to repair the ship’s engines and improve on-board conditions.  

“AMSA attended Maryam over the weekend 27-28 March and closed a number of deficiencies relating to lifeboat steering, deck vent heads and public announcement system speakers,” the authority said. 

“Twenty three of 36 deficiencies remain outstanding, including repair work on generators which are awaiting parts. Crew have been accompanied ashore on numerous occasions for respite courtesy of the local Mission to Seafarers, which provides an invaluable support service for seafarers arriving in Australia from abroad.”