Australian union voices renewed concerns over flag of convenience system
An Australian maritime union has reiterated serious concerns over flag of convenience shipping after a vessel ran aground off the Australian coast this week.
The ITF-affiliated Maritime Union of Australia brought the issue into focus after the “near disaster”, involving the Liberian-flagged MSC Basel on 2 November.
MUA Queensland secretary Mick Carr said that this latest incident again revealed how the deregulated ship registration system exposed Australia to a high level of vulnerability for jobs, environment and maritime security. Liberian-flagged vessels had an appalling record when it came to shipping incidents in Australian waters, he said.
“This one involving the MSC Basel is just the latest example of a near disaster due to this ongoing and dangerous practice of using flags of convenience,” he commented.
“Just last month we saw a major incident when the multi-million dollar Australian fishing vessel MV Apollo S was sunk at Port Lincoln in South Australia thanks to being rammed by another Liberian flag of convenience vessel the Grand Rodosi.
“This latest incident in Moreton Bay shows yet again that the rogues need to be weeded out of the international shipping industry.”
He called on the government to speed up ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention and to ensure that Australian Maritime Safety Authority was fully resourced to perform its new port state control functions. Enforcement of the convention would lead to a number of improvements, including better policing of crew fatigue and ensuring that FOC ships arriving in Australia adopt the new international standards.
Source: Australian Maritime Union
