Maritime NZ detained the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Daiwan Justice on 2 March 2019, at Lyttelton. The detention came after a complaint that the crewmembers’ wages had not been paid for almost four months. The detention was lifted later the same day after the ship’s operator paid the crew.
According to Maritime NZ Southern Regional Compliance Manager Michael Vredenburg, the detention was lifted later the same day after the ship’s operator paid the crew. As a similar case took place with the same operator last year, Maritime NZ is considering what compliance actions it may take against the company.
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During the detention, a Maritime Officer went on board the ship to investigate. The Maritime Officer interviewed the ship’s master and crew, inspected documents and found evidence that the crew had not been paid. What is more, when shown evidence, the ship’s master admitted the wages had not been paid. The Maritime Officer then decided to detain the vessel.
Maritime NZ applies maritime law irrespective of the ‘flag’ of the ship and the nationality of the crew
Mr. Vredenburg mentioned.
Namely, foreign-flag vessels must at all times comply with international conventions that New Zealand is party to, and in New Zealand waters within 12 nautical miles (22 km) of the coast, must also be in compliance with the Maritime Transport Act.
In addition, information about the detentions has been shared with other Asia-Pacific countries’ maritime authorities as part of the regional and international Port State Control (PSC) system that operates in the region under an agreement known as the ‘Tokyo MoU’.
The PSC system makes sure that foreign ships calling at ports can be inspected to ensure they comply with minimum safety, security and environmental protection requirements described in international conventions, including the MLC.
