Following the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s 12-month detention of the Panama-flagged “Fortune Genius” bulk carrier, the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) further affirmed this decision.
In fact, AMSA detained the vessel back in September 2019, after receiving a complaint of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) concerning crewmembers’ unpaid wages.
Specifically, the investigation revealed that the seafarers had been deliberately underpaid by the operator for consecutive months totalling approximately $100.000, and used two sets of wage accounts in order to deceive authorities.
In light of the situation, AAT Deputy President James Constance agreed with AMSA’s action, stating that such violations of the Maritime Labour Convention are of vital importance and that banning the bulk carrier was appropriate in the circumstances.
Concluding, the Fortune Genius detained vessel is owned by the China-based Marine Fortune Union Company, managed by subsidiary New Fortune Genius Management Limited, and had been chartered by Korean company Five Ocean Corporation to transport coal from Gladstone to Taean.