The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC Kia Ora from Australian ports for three months after the
operator failed to ensure crew were paid their wages in full and on time, and that critical equipment was maintained.
During a March 14 inspection AMSA found evidence that crew had been underpaid for the previous four months (November 2017 to February 2018) and were owed more than AU$53,000. The outstanding wages had been transferred to the crew just 24 hours before the inspection.
Further breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention were also found during the inspection relating to hours of rest and fitness for duty, Mr Schwartz said, placing the safety of the crew and the ship at risk.
MSC Kia Ora is operated by Vega-Reederei, the same company which operated the Vega Auriga, which AMSA banned in 2014.