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Category: Law, Crime and Justice / International Law / Sea Transport / Unions / Government and Politics / Coal

Cargo ship crew 'abandoned' off Queensland coast

Tuesday, 16 Aug 2016 12:18:59

The crew aboard the Five Stars Fujian have received emergency supplies. (Supplied: www.shipspotting.com)

The owners of a China-bound cargo ship have abandoned their crew off the central Queensland coast, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) says.

The Five Stars Fujian coal ship was detained last month after sitting idle for weeks in waters near Gladstone.

The ship currently holds about $40 million worth of coal.

The ITF's Matt Purcell said 20 Chinese nationals had been stranded off the Port of Gladstone since July 19, and have not been paid in months.

"Even when they were being paid, the crew was barely receiving $2 an hour, which is well below international standards," he said.

Mr Purcell said attempts to contact the ship's Chinese owners, Fujian Shipping, based in Hong Kong, have not been successful.

He said the crew were running out of food and emergency supplies were being rushed to the ship.

"For the owners to abandon their crew, virtually leaving them for dead, is beyond shocking," Mr Purcell said.

"This particular point in time the food has just been loaded onto a helicopter, which AMSA (Australian Marine Safety Authority) has had to hire because the seas are too rough.

"That will last them until about Thursday and then we'll have to review the situation after that."

Mr Purcell said the ship's owners had acted in a shameful manner.

"We're in a very difficult position because there are no directions from the company," he said.

"We've tried to contact owners through our Hong Kong affiliates so I don't know where we go."

Owners told to resupply the ship with sufficient provisions

Two inspectors from AMSA inspected the ship on August 12.

An AMSA spokesperson said the ship had been detained for deficiencies relating to insufficient food for its intended voyage and crew wages.

"The Hong Kong Marine Department is addressing the deficiencies with the owners and has advised that the owners have arranged for adequate provisions to be delivered to the ship," the spokesperson said.

"AMSA is seeking assurances from the vessel owners and charterers that the vessel will be provided with sufficient fuel and provisions for its planned voyage to China.

"The vessel will remain under detention until AMSA is satisfied that provisions are adequate and crew wages have been paid."

AustraliaPlus


 

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