Working Conditions Aboard the Agia-Doxa

In a significant development, the Apellis, a bulk carrier operated by Pyrsos Shipping, has been detained at Fangchenggang Port by the Beihai Maritime Court. This action came as a result of a request from Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, which has raised concerns over an unpaid repair contract. According to reports, the shipyard entered into a $408,000 agreement with Greek-owned Pyrsos Shipping for repair works on the Apellis docked in Zhoushan. Although Pyrsos Shipping has remitted $241,000 towards the contract, the company has reportedly struggled to settle the outstanding balance. This is not the first instance of the Apellis facing legal troubles; the vessel was previously detained in Australia in September 2015 due to violations related to crew labor, specifically regarding payment discrepancies in accordance with contractual obligations.

In a significant legal development, the vessel 'Apellis' was detained on June 20, 2016, in Beihai following a court ruling due to outstanding repair payments. The ship underwent essential maintenance repairs at the Zhoushan Yard in November 2015, which totaled $408,000. While the owner managed to settle $241,000 of the invoice, a remaining balance of $166,000 was left unpaid, prompting the arrest of the vessel.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has taken action by detaining the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Apellis after an inspection unveiled significant deficiencies related to the crew's working conditions. The MV Apellis, operated by Pyrsos Shipping Co Ltd from Piraeus, Greece, and chartered by Hudson Shipping Lines, is currently unable to depart Australia. According to the standards enforced under the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) of 2006, all vessels—both Australian-registered and foreign-flagged—are required to adhere to specific labor standards while navigating Australian waters. Failure to comply can result in detention by AMSA, with repeat offenders facing potential bans. The inspection was prompted by a complaint from the International Transport Workers Federation, highlighting concerns over the crew's welfare at Esperance grain jetty. Upon boarding, AMSA surveyors identified several alarming issues, including: • Crew members not being repatriated in accordance with their employment agreements; • Lack of a monthly wage report for August; • One crew member reportedly working outside of medical restrictions; • Absence of a working washing machine in the crew laundry; • Poor quality and lack of nutritional food; • Delayed wage payments, contrary to employment agreements. As a result of these serious non-payment issues, the MV Apellis remains under AMSA's detention until all deficiencies are resolved. Allan Schwartz, AMSA's General Manager of Ship Safety, emphasized the importance of treating seafarers with respect, stating that negligence in either personnel care or equipment maintenance can lead to serious safety hazards. "All ships operating in Australian waters must meet our standards," Mr. Schwartz remarked. "Seafarers face challenging lives, often away from home for extended periods." This incident underscores the need for vigilance in upholding labor rights and safety standards within the maritime industry.