The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a ‘refusal of access direction’ to the Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship Marsgracht, banning the ship from entering Australian ports for 180 days.
On February 6, 2024 Marsgracht was detained at Port Alma for improper stowage of dangerous goods – contrary to the International Maritime Organization’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Then, during a port state control inspection at the same port on November 14, 2024 Marsgracht, which is operated by Spiethoff, was detained for improper stowage of dangerous goods.
“Noting the seriousness and nature of these breaches, and the apparent lack of effective processes to rectify failings, it is appropriate that the Marsgracht not enter or use an Australian port for a period of 180 days,” said AMSA executive director operations, Michael Drake. “When it comes to loading dangerous cargo, there is no scope for non-compliance,” he added.
