Australia detains cargo ships for alleged labour abuse

Australia detains cargo ships for alleged labour abuse
AUG 13, 2020 - https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/australia-detains-cargo-ships...

AUSTRALIAN authorities detained at least two cargo ships for alleged labour violations related to demands from seafarers to be sent home, some of whom have spent more than a year at sea.

The ships, which are or will be carrying materials for Cargill Inc and for an aluminium industry joint venture that includes Rio Tinto Group, will be detained until they can adequately address the violations, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said.

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the shipping industry's general practices for swopping crews, raising costs and creating logistical barriers that have made difficult conditions worse for vulnerable seafarers.

Unions say seafarers who have worked beyond their contracts can legally halt work and demand repatriation.

The market should expect more of these kinds of supply chain disruptions if the crew-change crisis is not resolved, according to Peter Sand, chief shipping analyst at industry group BIMCO.