Australia Maritime Safety Authority Detains Alumina Cargo Ships for Labor Violations

Australia Maritime Safety Authority Detains Alumina Cargo Ships for Labor Violations
Mon, 17 Aug 2020 https://steelguru.com/metal/australia-maritime-safety-authority-detains-...

0813_laborabusestieupships_60749.jpg Image Source: AMSA Alumina Cargo Ships
Australian authorities detained at least two cargo ships for alleged labor violations related to demands from seafarers to be sent home, some of whom have spent more than a year at sea. Australian Maritime Safety Authority said "The ships, which are or will be carrying materials for Cargill Inc and for an aluminum industry joint venture that includes Rio Tinto Group, will be detained until they can adequately address the violations. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the shipping industry's general practices for swapping crews, raising costs and creating logistical barriers that have made difficult conditions worse for vulnerable seafarers."

The detention of the Unison Jasper, which was hauling alumina to the Tomago Aluminum smelter north of Sydney, relates to the failure to ensure seafarers' employment and social rights under Article IV of the Maritime Labour Convention, including payment of wages, crew repatriation and provision of fresh food. The ship is owned by EmeralcT Shipping (HK) Co Ltd, currently operated by Unison Marine Group and chartered by Pacific Basin. The vessel is on time-charter to Danish shipping services company Lauritzen Bulkers A/S, which sublet it to a third party. The smelter is a joint venture between Rio Tinto Group, CSR Ltd and Hydro Aluminium AS.

The other detained vessel, the Ben Rinnes, didn't have a valid repatriation plan for seafarers who have been on the ship for more than 13 months. The vessel is owned by MassMutual Asset Finance LLC, an affiliate of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. Laura Crisco, a spokesperson for the parent company, said in an email that it doesn't typically comment on individual investments. The vessel is chartered by Cargill Inc and operated by Navios Shipmanagement Inc.

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.