Spliethoff ship Marsgracht banned from Australian waters by AMSA

A ship has been banned from Australian waters after docking in Central Queensland and being found to have improperly stowed dangerous goods.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced a 180-day ban against the Netherlands cargo ship Marsgracht.

A ship has been banned from Australian waters after docking in Central Queensland and being found to have improperly stowed dangerous goods.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced a 180-day ban against the Netherlands cargo ship Marsgracht after it was detained at Port Alma, south of Rockhampton, on February 6 for the improper stowage of dangerous goods – contrary to the International Maritime Organisation’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Nine months later, during an inspection at the same port by the port State control (PSC), the Marsgracht was again detained for improper stowage of dangerous goods.

This recurrence highlights systemic failures in the ship’s safety management system and a serious lack of effective remedial action.

AMSA stated the detention was the fourth since July 2022 for a Spliethoff’s Bevrachtingskantoor B.V. operated ship failing to comply with the IMDG Code’s requirements for stowage of dangerous goods.

Spliethoff’s headquarter’s are in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and conducts shipping worldwide.

According to it’s website, the company specialises in shipping dry cargo.

AMSA claimed the detention rate of the Spliethoff’s Bevrachtingskantoor B.V. significantly exceeds the global average (12.6 per cent over the past two years), with multiple ships detained for International Safety Management Code failures and other safety-critical deficiencies.

AMSA Executive Director Operations Michael Drake said the authority had escalated its enforcement action to send a clear message to the operator that this risk to safety and the marine environment would not be tolerated in Australia.

“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,” he said.

“AMSA takes its role as a maritime safety regulator very seriously and will not hesitate to take swift and appropriate action against unsafe ships, their owners and operators.

“International minimum standards exist to protect the lives of seafarers, and our precious marine and coastal environments.

“When it comes to loading dangerous cargo, there is no scope for noncompliance.

“There is no excuse for disregarding these standards.”

Originally published as Spliethoff ship Marsgracht banned from Australian waters by AMSA