Underpayment of crew and poor working conditions have led to the banning of a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, Neptune, from Australian ports for six months.

After receiving a complaint regarding the underpayment of seafarers and welfare issues, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) inspected the ship in the Port of Gladstone, in central Queensland and found evidence that the employment agreement with 21 seafarers on board the ship had not been met and the crew members were collectively owed approximately AUD$123 000 (R1 431 403.89).

Amsa found evidence the food and drinking water were not of appropriate quality, quantity and nutritional value for seafarers. It’s also understood a seafarer was not provided with adequate medical care after being injured on board.

As a result, Amsa detained the ship for multiple breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and the operator has been directed to pay the outstanding wages and address the deficiencies.

Amsa’s executive director of operations, Michael Drake, said the seafarers had repeatedly not been paid at regular intervals and two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements.

“Ships visiting Australian ports are on notice that if we find deliberate underpaying of crew they can expect penalties,” he said.

Source: https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/australia-slaps-hefty-fine-oil-tanker