Coronavirus: Wharfies stood down after refusing to unload medical supplies from China

Maritime union says the Chinese ship docked in Melbourne in breach of the 14-day coronavirus quarantine period.

Chinese container ship the Xin Da Lian.

DP World has stood down more than 60 wharfies for refusing to unload a vessel containing medical supplies after the maritime union said the ship had docked in Melbourne in breach of the 14-day coronavirus quarantine period.

DP World said the Xin Da Lian left China on March 17 and arrived at the company’s Melbourne terminal on Tuesday night after being cleared for entry by the Australian Border Force.

But the union said the vessel stopped in Taiwan and did not leave for Australia until March 19, meaning it would not meet the 14-day requirement until Thursday night.

The vessel contains surgical masks, gloves and shoe coverings, surgical gowns, hair nets, toilet paper, hand towel rolls, chemicals for soap and detergent manufacturing, tinned foods for supermarkets and whitegoods.

Maritime Union of Australia assistant national secretary Warren Smith said three vessels were also due to arrive in Darwin in coming days after being at sea for six and seven days.

He said the vessels were likely to be unloaded as the wharfies were “hungry for work”, But he said they wanted clarity over the quarantine period.

“Police are patrolling parks but we seem to have a relaxation of the situation on the waterfront where it’s not clear,” he said.

DP World Australia’s Melbourne terminal. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“It’s not exactly best practice or consistent when, meanwhile, you are putting people from cruise ships and aeroplanes in hotels in isolation for 14 days.”

He said the ship in Melbourne would be unloaded when the 14 day period was reached and workers were no longer stood down.

“We recognise our responsibility to keep supermarkets filled and provide medical supplies but we just want some protocols and some consistency in the application of the policy,” he said.

But DP World chief operating officer Andrew Adam said the union claims were unfounded.

“The directions are very clear, and we don’t make the rules, these are defined by Australian Border Force. Any crew members aboard a vessel that has been to mainland China, must have been at sea for 14 days before they are allowed to dock in Australia,” he said.

He said the vessel left Shanghai in China on March 17 and arrived in Melbourne on March 31.

“It has been out at sea for 14 days. The union is not allowed to unilaterally declare a vessel unsafe: they are not allowed to create their own set of rules,” he said.

“Using COVID-19 related-safety concerns does a disservice to the Australian public, who rely on trade and goods from our ports during these challenging times, and have genuine fear over their wellbeing and safety as a result of this global pandemic.

“DP World is working resolutely to protect our people and the communities in which we operate, and to keep trade flowing including food, medicines and other vital supplies during the unprecedented challenges faced by COVID-19.”

DP World stood down 22 workers on Tuesday night and 40 workers on Wednesday.

Mr Smith said “the largest cluster of COVID-19 cases in Australia — which has already claimed several lives and caused hundreds of illnesses — was the result of inadequate measures put in place for the arrival of ships”.

“What’s the difference with this ship?” he asked.

“Wharfies don’t want to see a repeat of that blunder on the waterfront, but we still see ships allowed to dock inside of quarantine periods in breach of Australian Government Department of Health guidelines.

“An outbreak of COVID-19 on the waterfront would have a devastating impact on Australia’s supply chain given 98 per cent of imports arrive by sea, disrupting the waterfront and stopping vital medical supplies, food, and household goods.