PNG-flagged cargo ship banned from Australian ports

 PNG-flagged cargo ship banned from Australian ports

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, AMSA, has banned a Papua New Guinea-flagged cargo ship from using Australian ports for three months after detecting scores of defects in several areas including safety, maintenance and crew conditions.

The Kiunga Chief was detained for the third time in 18 months and Australian inspectors found the ship's fire-fighting systems didn't work and that the crew couldn't operate them even if they did. A serious lack in safety equipment and training along with a lax safety culture on board the ship.

All up, Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued the ship 79 deficiencies since August 2015.
The Authority's acting general manager of operations Stephen Curry said systemic failures by the Kiunga Chief's operator Consort Express Lines have put the safety of the crew and the Australian marine environment at risk.