AMSA says port state management (PSC) inspection recognized critical defects with the watertight integrity of ship’s cargo hatches, essential engine and security tools. [Photo: AMSA]
In its most up-to-date port entry ban, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) yesterday issued a refusal of entry course discover banning the Liberian-flagged containership MSC Kymea II from Australian ports for 90 days.
AMSA says that it issued the discover “following months of sub-standard performance from the ship’s operator, MSC Shipmanagement Ltd (MSC), including critical maintenance issues.”
AMSA has detained 9 MSC ships over the previous two years, together with 5 ships in 2023 alone. Many of those detentions confirmed systemic sub-standard upkeep practices onboard, says the company.
The AMSA says that its inspection of the MSC Kymea II discovered 21 deficiencies in complete, together with a faulty free fall lifeboat steering system, faulty hearth security techniques, dangerously-stored flammable supplies, and a number of wasted or lacking railing security chains used to forestall stevedores from falling from heights when lashing cargo.
ATTEMPTED COVER UP?
Another MSC vessel inspected two weeks in the past was discovered with a corroded fuel-oil tank air pipe, and the proof means that the ship tried to cover the seriousness of the defect from authorities by overlaying up the rusted pipe with canvas and portray over it.
AMSA Executive Director of Operations Michael Drake stated the company’s inspection regime has proven that MSC has failed to satisfy its obligations to correctly keep its vessels.
“AMSA has zero-tolerance for sub-standard ships operating in Australian waters and we will not hesitate to ban vessels that fail to meet basic safety standards,” he stated. “The Australian public has an expectation that ships operating in Australian waters meet or exceed the minimum international standards for safety and environmental protection. Ships should be on notice that this kind of repeated poor performance is not acceptable, and Australia will take action.”
For a full checklist of ships that AMSA has banned, go to: Refusal of access to Australian ports
