AGIA SOFIA I

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Bulk carrier banned from Australia for violation of international maritime labour laws

Officials in Australia have banned the 'Agia Sofia' from visiting Australian ports for six months after discovering that the ship’s crew had been withheld pay in violation of international maritime labour laws. Inspectors with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority boarded Marmaras Navigation’s vessel at Hay Point in Mackay on July 25, 2020, after receiving a complaint via the International Transport Workers’ Federation. During the inspection, AMSA found evidence that some seafarers on board the ship had not been paid their wages in full since August 2019. The AMSA said the outstanding wages totalled AUD $45,000 (US $32,000), constituting a breach of their employment agreements under the Maritime Labour Convention. AMSA Acting General Manager Operations Michael Drake noted it wasn’t the first time the shipping company, Marmaras Navigation Ltd, had been caught underpaying crew in Australian waters. In January 2018 AMSA detained another company ship, the 'Koundouros', at Port Walcott for owing its seafarers more than AUD $7500,” said Drake. The operator was fortunate that AMSA did not ban the 'Koundouros' at the time and those seafarers were paid their outstanding wages before the ship was allowed to leave. Bringing a second ship, the 'Agia Sofia', to Australia with the same breach was regarded as inexcusable and has left the AMSA with little choice but to ban this ship from Australian ports. In total, the 'Agia Sofia' is now the third ship in the last 12 months to be banned by AMSA for failing to pay seafarers their wages in full and on time.

Sold

Toisa have sold their Kamsarmax "Trade Spirit" 82/2016 Jiangsu Newyangzi to Greeks buyers basis ‘asis/where is’ for USD 24.5 mill.