Australia imposes one-year ban on bulker after ship fails to provide repair updates

The Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) started 2024 by issuing its first ban against a ship, the Liberian-registered bulk carrier KMAX Leader, due to safety violations and breaches of Australian legislation committed by the ship’s master and owner while in Gladstone Harbour. The vessel had arrived in Gladstone in late October and was experiencing engine room vibrations, leaving it disabled in the port during cyclone season. Despite multiple notices and requirements from AMSA, the lack of information from the ship’s owners led to a dead ship tow on February 4 and a subsequent 12-month ban preventing the ship from entering Australian ports.

AMSA’s Executive Director Operations, Michael Drake, expressed disappointment in the lack of prompt, transparent, and meaningful engagement from the ship’s operators and masters. The authority has been increasing its enforcement efforts, issuing a total of nine bans against ships in 2023, compared to only two in 2022 and four in 2021. Since 2020, AMSA has issued 20 bans against ships found unsafe or in violation of labor regulations. The ban against KMAX Leader marks the first of 2024 and highlights AMSA’s commitment to taking swift and appropriate actions against unsafe ships.

The KMAX Leader’s ban comes after months of mechanical issues and a refusal of access direction issued by AMSA, as the ship presented a real risk to safety within the port of Gladstone. The vessel’s departure under tow and subsequent ban demonstrate AMSA’s commitment to upholding international standards and ensuring the safety and compliance of ships entering Australian ports.

Source .