Three Strikes and You’re Out: Australia Bans Another Ship from PT. Meratus Line

From now on, every ship operated by Indonesian shipper PT. Meratus Line will be subject to inspections upon arrival in any Australian port, according to a statement by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) today.

Less than three months after banning the cargo ship Territory Trader, the AMSA has banned a second ship from PT. Meratus Line, the MV Meratus Sangatta (IMO 9116797) from entering an Australian port for a period of three months.

Australian officials note the Meratus Sangatta has been detained three times since November 2012 and twice since November 2014.

Most recently, AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said a complaint was received in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) ahead of an inspection of the ship last week. “The recent detention found numerous failings in compliance with the MLC, which place the welfare of seafarers at risk,” he said.

“The more serious of these deficiencies included not having enough food and potable water for the next voyage, defective and insufficient refrigerated storage to safely store fresh food, defective laundry, sanitary and cooking facilities, as well as expired Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEA).

“AMSA, in line with its international obligations, treats any breaches of the MLC with the greatest of seriousness to ensure seafarer welfare and safety, and to protect Australia’s marine environment.”

The vessel is the third to be banned from Australian ports under the revised Navigation Act which came into effect in July 2013.

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