Working Conditions Aboard the Peace

In a concerning security incident, the bulk carrier 'Peace' was boarded by a group of five armed individuals on May 22, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m. While navigating the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait, the vessel was approached about 4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Pulau Cula, specifically at position 1° 3.43' N 103° 38.0' E. Fortunately, no theft was reported during the incident, and the crew remained unharmed while the motives of the assailants remain unclear. The maritime community is urged to remain vigilant as investigations continue into this alarming breach of security.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has imposed a three-month prohibition on the bulk carrier 'Peace' from docking at any Australian ports due to serious seaworthiness issues. The vessel, which was detained on May 31, 2024, in Newcastle, was found to be suffering from significant maintenance deficiencies and severe deterioration of essential components, including hatches and other fixtures. AMSA has characterized the current condition of the 'Peace' as considerably below safety standards, raising alarms over the potential risks posed to both the vessel's crew and Australia's marine environment. Notably, the ship exhibited critical watertight and weathertight failures, which could lead to flooding, cargo damage, compromised stability, or even the sinking of the vessel. Fortunately, after rectifying all noted deficiencies, the bulk carrier was released from detention on June 3.

In a significant legal development, Shagang Shipping, a company based in Hong Kong, has successfully obtained a court order for the arrest of the HNA-controlled tanker 'Guangzhou' at Gwangyang port on March 28, 2014. This action is part of Shagang's efforts to recover a substantial overdue payment of $66.4 million owed by the HNA Group. In a related case, Shagang previously had the HNA vessel 'Bulk Peace' detained in Australia on March 19, 2014. However, the Australian court eventually released 'Bulk Peace' after determining that Shagang had not provided adequate evidence to prove that HNA was the beneficial owner of the vessel. The unfolding events highlight ongoing financial controversies surrounding the HNA Group and its associated maritime operations.