TOMAGO Aluminium has been called on to declare that conditions on the alumina ship Unison Jasper were not contravening the federal Modern Slavery Act, as the ship's 11 Burmese crew were released from 14 days of COVID-19 quarantine in Sydney yesterday afternoon.
International Transport Workers Federation organiser Dean Summers said yesterday that the Unison Jasper had been sitting at berth in Newcastle since it was detained by federal authorities two Fridays ago, for a range of breaches including unpaid wages.
Tomago Aluminium chief executive Matt Howell said the vessel was the responsibility of Tomago's shareholders, not Tomago itself.
"I have made inquiries and I have been assured by the shareholders [Rio Tinto, CSR and Hydro, in thirds] that the vessel is in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act," Mr Howell said.
As the Newcastle Herald reported a fortnight ago, the crew were taken to Sydney by police escort after the vessel was detained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
It said last night that the ship had been detained for failures under the Maritime Labour Convention "including payment of wages, crew repatriation and provision of fresh food".
I'm assured that it's in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act
Tomago Aluminium CEO Matt Howell
"The ship will not be permitted to leave Newcastle until the minimum safe manning standards can be met to the satisfaction of AMSA and the ship's flag state [Hong Kong]," AMSA said.
Mr Summers said one crew member was returning to the vessel but the other 10 were staying in Sydney until they could be flown home.
He said they had been threatened when they left the ship in Newcastle and were still owed $60,000 in wages.
As events were unfolding in Sydney, the Port of Newcastle was receiving its second visit in three months by a giant Hoegh Autoliners roll-on roll-off vehicle carrier.
At 200 metres, the Hoegh Tracer is the same length as the Triton Ace, which arrived in May, but eight metres wider at 40 metres.
Port of Newcastle says the vessels are signs of the port's diversification. The 14-floor tracer could carry 8500 standard cars and is delivering heavy machinery.
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