Australia bans AG Neptune tanker for underpaying wages and insufficient food and water onboard

AMSA Media Release

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) today banned the Liberian-flagged oil tanker AG 
Neptune
from Australian ports for six months.

AMSA inspected the ship in the Port of Gladstone, in central Queensland, on 17 June 2022 after 
receiving a complaint regarding the underpayment of seafarers and welfare issues.

During the inspection, AMSA found evidence the employment agreement with 21 seafarers on 
board the ship had not been met and the crew members were collectively owed approximately AUD 
$123,000.

AMSA found evidence the food and drinking water were not of appropriate quality, quantity and 
nutritional value for seafarers. It’s also understood a seafarer was not provided with adequate 
medical care after being injured onboard.

As a result, AMSA detained the ship for multiple breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
and the operator has been directed to pay the outstanding wages and address the deficiencies.

AMSA’s Executive Director of Operations Michael Drake said the seafarers were repeatedly not paid 
at regular intervals and two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements.

“Australia has zero tolerance for the underpayment of crew. This type of behaviour is unethical and 
in contravention to the MLC. The international conventions that protect seafarers’ rights are very 
clear,” Mr Drake said.

“Ships visiting Australian ports are on notice that if we find deliberate underpaying of crew 
they can expect penalties.”

“AMSA takes the MLC seriously and actively ensures seafarers’ health and well-being is 
upheld on all ships in Australia.”

For a full list of ships AMSA has banned, visit: Refusal of access list and letters of warning list 
(amsa.gov.au)

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