Reviews & Ratings for the Taz

In a concerning maritime incident, the bulk carrier 'Taz' was attacked by five armed individuals while navigating through the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait. The incident occurred approximately 3.2 nautical miles from Pulau Cula at the coordinates 1°02.47' N 103° 39.31' E on February 27, 2026, at 02:34 a.m. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew members, though the assailants managed to steal a mobile phone belonging to one of the staff. The swift action by the crew and authorities highlights the ongoing challenges of piracy and maritime security in busy seafaring routes.

In a significant enforcement action, Australian maritime authorities have detained two cargo vessels due to alleged labor violations stemming from seafarers' requests to return home after enduring extended periods at sea. Reports indicate that some crew members have been at sea for over a year. The detained ships are involved in transporting materials for Cargill Inc. and a joint venture in the aluminum sector, which includes major player Rio Tinto Group. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced that the vessels will remain detained until they rectify the identified labor concerns. One of the vessels, the 'Unison Jasper', was transporting alumina to the Tomago Aluminum smelter, located north of Sydney, when it faced scrutiny. This detention was specifically associated with the vessel's non-compliance regarding the seafarers' employment and social rights, as outlined in Article IV of the Maritime Labour Convention. Issues flagged included inadequate payment of wages, failure to arrange for crew repatriation, and a lack of provision for fresh food. The Tomago smelter is a collaborative effort between Rio Tinto Group, CSR Ltd., and Hydro Aluminium AS. The 'Unison Jasper' operates under a time charter with Danish shipping firm Lauritzen Bulkers A/S, which has since sublet the vessel to another party. Ownership of the ship falls under Emerald Shipping (HK) Co. Ltd., and it is currently managed by Unison Marine Group, with chartering handled by Pacific Basin. Pacific Basin noted it remains uninvolved in matters related to the vessel’s management and crew issues. Additionally, the 'Unison Jasper' made its entry into Newcastle port on July 25, 2020. The other vessel, 'Ben Rinnes', faced detention due to its failure to establish a valid repatriation plan for its crew members, many of whom have been aboard for over 13 months. This ship is owned by MassMutual Asset Finance LLC, a subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. It has been chartered by Cargill Inc. and is operated by Navios Shipmanagement Inc., according to the AMSA. 'Ben Rinnes' arrived at Geelong Port on August 5, 2020. Both vessels will remain detained until compliance with labor regulations is confirmed.