Australia Banned Dutch Ship Amid Crackdown on ‘Poor Performers’

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a 90-day ban on a Netherlands-flagged vessel as part of its crackdown on "poor performers" in the maritime industry.

AMSA detained the general cargo ship Flevogracht, operated by the Spliethoff Group, after discovering that the ship's rescue boat engine was defective.

AMSA had previously issued two warning letters to Spliethoff, outlining concerns about the safety of their vessels. This latest incident, AMSA stated, is part of a pattern of unacceptable performance by the operator, posing risks to the ship's integrity, crew safety, and the marine environment.

This is the fifth time AMSA has detained a Spliethoff vessel in the last two years. Three of these detentions were due to serious failures to effectively implement safe navigation procedures, all occurring in Queensland waters near the Great Barrier Reef.

On February 16, the captain of the Florijngracht was fined $6,000 for breaching mandatory pilotage laws after the ship illegally entered the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park without a marine pilot.

AMSA’s Executive Director of Operations, Michael Drake, emphasized the authority’s commitment to maritime safety in Australia.

“The continued detentions of Spliethoff ships are evidence of their ongoing and repeated disregard for safety and environmental protection,” Drake said. “The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s natural wonders, and we have a duty to ensure that any vessels entering its waters do so safely and in full compliance with the law.”

The ban on Flevogracht follows a recent 90-day ban imposed on the MSC Kymea II, operated by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), due to maintenance and safety deficiencies. This action came after the detention of nine MSC-operated ships over the past two years, including five so far in 2023.

“Ship operators should be aware that AMSA will not hesitate to take action when we encounter unacceptable practices aboard vessels,” Drake warned.