Discover the Meratus-Jayakarta: Ratings & Maritime News

In a startling revelation during an inspection in Réunion, maritime authorities uncovered shocking practices aboard the 'Meratus Jayakarta,' where two sailors had been on duty for over two years, and 13 others for more than a year. This situation has been exacerbated by ongoing challenges in crew rotations since the onset of the health crisis and subsequent border restrictions. On April 25, 2021, just after dawn, the 'Meratus Jayakarta' docked at the bustling port of Pointe des Galets. A poignant moment occurred when the 63-year-old chief engineer, who boarded the vessel on April 11, 2019, in Singapore, handed a bundle of documents to the pilot, Eric Kerverdo. It was revealed that one of his assistants had embarked even earlier, on April 4, 2019, and neither had been able to disembark since. The pilot's concerns grew when he learned that several other crew members had likewise been stuck on board for over a year. This prompted him to file a report with the South Indian Ocean Sea Directorate (DMSOI) in Saint-Denis de La Réunion, citing serious safety risks and the inhumane treatment of the crew. International maritime regulations mandate that crew members should not remain on board for longer than 11 months. Following the pilot's report, on April 26, inspectors from the Réunion ship safety center conducted an exhaustive six-hour check of the vessel. They engaged in confidential discussions with each of the 22 crew members about their working conditions. Thankfully, the inspection did not reveal additional issues; however, it led to directives for the Indonesian shipowner to ensure that nearly all crew members were relieved during the next stop at Réunion Island. The 'Meratus Jayakarta' is scheduled to return to the island on May 19, where the Indonesian shipping company is expected to hire a new crew and complete the necessary health and administrative procedures, allowing the long-suffering sailors to finally return home. In the interim, the crew has mutually agreed to sign an amendment to their contracts to regularize the troubling circumstances surrounding their extended service.

In a recent development, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has successfully extended the charter for one of its vessels, enabling it to continue trading in Southeast Asia for an additional 1-2 months. The daily charter rate is set at an impressive $8,200, reflecting the strong demand in the region's shipping market. This strategic move underscores MSC’s commitment to maintaining a robust presence in Southeast Asian waters.

In an exciting development for maritime trade, MSC has successfully finalized a new charter agreement for a duration of 3 to 6 months. This charter will facilitate operations in Southeast Asia, with a daily rate of $9,100. This move underlines MSC's commitment to enhancing its service offerings in the region and meeting the growing demand for shipping services.