AsiaDry Cargo

Daelim Corporation bulker banned from Australian ports

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the 81,000dwt bulk carrier DL Carnation, owned by South Korea’s Daelim Corporation, from entering Australian ports for 12 months after the vessel was discovered underpaying its crew.

Last week, AMSA inspected the vessel in Gladstone after receiving a complaint via the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITWF) and found the ship was operating with two sets of wage accounts onboard. A comparison of the accounts showed the crew were being underpaid by over $17,000 per month from at least April this year.

The vessel was detained for breaching the Maritime Labour Convention and on Thursday it was released from detention after the crew received outstanding wages, while AMSA issued the master a direction notice banning the DL Carnation from entering or using any Australian port for 12 months. ASA will also increase inspections for all other vessels belonging to the company.

“By maintaining multiple accounts of wages it demonstrates a knowledge and intent to not only withhold wages but to also actively deceive authorities. This is completely unacceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated in Australia,” said Allan Schwartz, AMSA’s general manager of operations.

“Shipping companies should be aware that AMSA has the power to ban entire fleets if we uncover systemic issues within an operation and will not hesitate to do so where deliberate non-compliance is uncovered,” Schwartz warned.

In August AMSA also banned bulk carrier Rena, owned by Greek owner Trojan Maritime, from entering Australian ports for six months under similar circumstances.

Jason Jiang

Jason is one of the most prolific writers on the diverse China shipping & logistics industry and his access to the major maritime players with business in China has proved an invaluable source of exclusives. Having been working at Asia Shipping Media since inception, Jason is the chief correspondent of Splash and associate editor of Maritime CEO magazine. Previously he had written for a host of titles including Supply Chain Asia, Cargo Facts and Air Cargo Week.
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