Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Xin-Da-Lian

In a significant labor development, over 60 dockworkers in Melbourne have been stood down after they declined to unload the 'Xin Da Luan', a vessel carrying essential medical supplies from China. The ship made its way to the DP World terminal at the Port of Melbourne on the night of March 31, 2020, following its departure from Shanghai on March 17. The Maritime Union of Australia raised safety concerns regarding the vessel, claiming it violated the federal government's mandatory 14-day coronavirus quarantine period due to a stop at a Taiwanese port on March 19. The union highlighted that shortening the quarantine by two days posed unnecessary risks to both workers and the wider community. Following these concerns, members of the union who refused to participate in the unloading were subsequently stood down. Andrew Adam, the Chief Operating Officer at DP World Australia, stated that the vessel had been authorized to dock by the Australian Border Force (ABF). He emphasized, "Any crew members aboard a vessel that has been to mainland China must have been at sea for 14 days before they are permitted to dock in Australia. The union cannot unilaterally deem a vessel unsafe or create its own regulations." In a statement issued on April 1, Adam reassured that the company was adhering to strict protocols, including measures mandated by the ABF on March 20, requiring crew members on commercial vessels to don personal protective equipment when in public areas of the ship during the presence of non-crew individuals. The 'Xin Da Luan' was reported to be carrying a variety of critical items, including toilet rolls, surgical masks, shoe coverings, chemicals for soap and detergent production, surgical gowns, laboratory coats, hair nets, canned food, and household appliances. The incident escalated when 22 dockworkers initially refused to unload the ship on March 31, prompting another 40 to join in the protest the following morning. In response, the state opposition has called upon the local government to step in and facilitate the unloading of the vital supplies from the ship.