Melbourne may face environmental risks due to unsafe cleaning on a vessel at Appleton Dock: International Transport Workers’ Federation
June 7, 2013
The Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay may face environmental damage due to unsafe cleaning practises on a vessel at Melbourne’s Appleton Dock, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
The ITF last night accused the Sat Nunki ship’s owners and operators of cutting corners with workplace and environmental safety.
The call follows a failed ship inspection with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which reportedly found the ship was too unclean to carry grain, as its hatches had previously been filled with phosphate and coal.
ITF Australia coordinator Dean Summers says the local marine environment was threatened by an
inappropriate cleaning regime on the vessel, operated by Greek company Apex for Indonesian owner Indofood.
“Normally cleaning would occur well out to sea, and would be done with proper safety and environmental protocols, but instead we are seeing a rushed job taking place because the vessel was found to be too unclean to carry its cargo of grain,” Summers says.
The ITF plans to launch action against the operators, with another Apex ship due in Adelaide today.
The ITF has also criticised the Port of Melbourne Corporation for an inadequate response to safety concerns relating to the cleaning of the Sat Nunki.
In a response, Port of Melbourne Corporation CEO Stephen Bradford says the method in which the vessel undertakes [EPA] requirements is a matter for the vessel or shipping line.