Raffles-Harmony Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The tanker AG Neptune has been prohibited from entering Australia due to serious concerns surrounding crew welfare. This action follows its previous detention for violating several stipulations of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Investigations launched by the Australian authorities revealed that 21 crew members were collectively owed a staggering $86,000, while the quality of food and water on board fell far below acceptable standards. On June 17, 2022, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) conducted an inspection of the AG Neptune in Gladstone after receiving complaints concerning unpaid crew wages. The inspection uncovered that the vessel's employment agreements were not honored, leaving the crew owed around AUD $123,000. Additionally, AMSA reported alarming deficiencies in the quality, quantity, and nutritional value of the food and drinking water provided to the seafarers. Compounding these issues, one crew member was denied sufficient medical care following an injury onboard. In light of these findings, AMSA took decisive action to detain the ship due to multiple breaches of the MLC, requiring the operators to resolve outstanding wage issues and rectify the various deficiencies identified. Notably, the crew members had not been paid on time regularly, and two crew members were found to have expired Seafarer Employment Agreements.

A Federal Court judge in Australia has designated a mediator to facilitate the resolution of a contentious dispute stemming from the contaminated diesel fuel aboard the 'AG Neptune.' The vessel was arrested near Newcastle on May 3, 2022, while carrying a substantial load of 62,000 metric tonnes of diesel fuel, which had been sourced in Taiwan by Viva Energy Australia. This company, known for its fuel supply services, asserts that the diesel was compliant with specifications at the time of loading in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China, back in March. However, upon reaching Newcastle around April 10, the cargo was discovered to be contaminated, leading to estimated losses and damages of approximately $41 million for Viva Energy. The exact reasons behind the security demands made by Viva Energy remain ambiguous. Currently, the 'AG Neptune' is anchored off the port of Gladstone, where it was relocated shortly after its arrest at the vessel owner's request to enable the bunkering process with low sulphur fuel oil, which was in short supply. This strategic shift to Gladstone was also motivated by safety considerations, as the sheltered anchorage provided a more secure environment compared to the exposed waters off Newcastle, where the vessel had previously been drifting 12 nautical miles offshore.