What Crew Members Say About Lia-M

Ultrabulk has finalized a new charter agreement, set to deliver steel slabs to the East Coast of South America. The contract specifies a daily rate of $21,250, with the redelivery scheduled within the Skaw-Gibraltar range. This strategic move reinforces Ultrabulk's strong position in the shipping industry as it continues to engage in lucrative chartering opportunities.

In a strategic move within the shipping industry, a new time charter has been established, focusing on grain transport. The vessel will be delivered at the Kaohsiung spot, embarking on a journey to Vancouver before its final redelivery in the Persian Gulf. This charter, facilitating vital grain movement, offers a competitive daily rate of $6,000 and is managed by Norvic, underscoring the company's expanding influence in maritime logistics.

The bulk carrier 'Lia M,' which arrived at the Port of Quebec on September 8, 2013, has been detained by Canadian officials due to serious complaints from its crew, as reported by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). Crew members raised multiple issues, including unpaid wages, a lack of a proper collective bargaining agreement featuring the vessel's name, effective date, or wage scale. Reports also highlighted that crew members were left without money for personal necessities such as shampoo and toothpaste. Additionally, some crew members faced difficulties accessing medical care, with at least one being denied a doctor's visit on two separate occasions. Alarmingly, crew members indicated they were coerced into signing blank contracts. Following scrutiny from Port State Control, the 'Lia M' has since taken steps to comply with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). This incident marks the second vessel detained under MLC regulations; the 'OSV Ocean Carrier' had previously been apprehended in Denmark for similar violations concerning seafarer employment contracts. With the MLC coming into effect on August 20, these detentions underscore the importance of ensuring fair labor practices within the maritime industry.