Container ships visiting the Port of Newcastle may now face extra scrutiny as part of a new nationwide campaign initiated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to enforce proper cargo securing arrangements and prevent shipping disasters.
While the campaign is ongoing from early August to the end of October, cargo ships should expect extended Port State Control inspections or stand-alone inspections if they dock in Australian ports.
The inspection campaign is being launched in response to recent investigations which revealed issues such as unsafe stacking practices and the poor maintenance of securing equipment were major factors in incidents involving the loss of containers from the YM Efficiency off Newcastle in 2018 and the APL England off Wollongong in May.
AMSA Acting National Operations Manager, Greg Witherall says the recent incidents were "simply unacceptable".
"They have the impact to cause significant environmental damage to Australia's iconic marine and coastal environment," Mr Witherall said. "These events, of containers going over the side, certainly affects the livelihoods and safety of commercial fishers and more broadly communities across Australia."
A $17 million recovery effort earlier this year salvaged 63 of the 81 containers lost overboard from the YM Efficiency, which had left debris such as nappies, surgical masks, and other sanitary products to wash up on local shores.
Taiwanese operator Yang Ming are now facing legal proceedings from AMSA in the Federal Court to recover the costs of the container removal effort.
Mr Witherall said further incidents would not be tolerated and all vessels visiting Australia must ensure they comply with the international standards set out by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
"Where a vessel is deemed not compliant, and what we call clear grounds exist, then the AMSA inspector may proceed to a full detailed inspection," Mr Witherall said. "That can result in compliance action being taken until the vessel and the operators bring their vessel back into compliance."
"There's certainly an opportunity here for industry to lift its standards and AMSA will hold companies to account if their ships lose containers in Australian waters."
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| Image credit: https://www.amsa.gov.au/ |
