Australia bans Indian bulk carrier for 180 days over safety violations

17 May 2024 CW Team

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reportedly issued a 180-day prohibition on the Indian bulk carrier Darya Shaan due to safety risks.

According to the AMSA, the operator, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India), repeatedly failed to report defects to the primary engine and machinery as the vessel entered Australian ports.

AMSA inspectors boarded the Indian-flagged vessel on 26 April at the Port of Melbourne.

They discovered multiple maintenance issues, including impaired engine control and monitoring systems, faulty alarm monitoring systems, impaired generator starting arrangements, and a safety management mechanism that failed to ensure adequate maintenance and defect reporting.

AMSA was informed that the operator had been notified of severe safety concerns before reaching Australia.

Michael Drake, the Executive Director of Operations associated with AMSA, warned that disregarding vessel engine maintenance could harm the marine environment and crew safety.

Negligence could cause a vessel to lose power during crucial navigation, resulting in possible groundings or collisions.

Drake mentioned that the operator had been aware of the defects but did not report them to the AMSA, which was appalling and much deserving of a 180-day ban.

This was considered an obvious attempt to conceal the severe defects from the Australian authorities and displayed a disregard for the safety of the vessel, its crew members, and the marine environment.

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