According to LIoyd’s list, the 957-TEU Vega Auriga has been detained for poor seafarer welfare and ship care on multiple occasions by AMSA, adding that it also run afoul of Singaporean maritime authorities.
Citing poor vessel maintenance and crew safety, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) containership from its ports for three months.
The Liberian-flagged ship is owned, commercially operated, and managed by Vega Reederei, a German ship owner, shipbroker, charterer and sale/purchase broker. The third-party operator is MSC.
AMSA chief executive Mick Kinley said the body had a new policy to deal with vessels in breach of Port State Control.
“The Navigation Act 2012 has given us good powers. We can say ‘you’re not welcome in Australian ports”, Kinley said.
International Transport Workers Federation, Australia coordinator Dean Summers said MSC needs to vet its chartered fleet more carefully if it is serious about protecting its reputation.
“The ITF had repeatedly warned MSC of these and other breaches but the European-based fleet operator had refused to accept their responsibilities,” he said.