The Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi, has detained a vessel, which arrived in the port with sulphur, as it was found to be un-seaworthy for voyage.
The MMD officials had carried out inspection on the vessel Ocean Frontier as per Port Safety Control and Flag Inspection. The systems and equipments in the vessel were found to be in bad condition.
MMD officials said that defects have to be carried out by the owners before taking the vessel out from the port. The officials will again conduct inspection to find out whether the repairs were carried out properly. The ship owned by an Iranian company had arrived from Fujiarah with 13,500 tonnes of sulphur meant for the public sector FACT. However, the cargo has been discharged completely in the port.
The vessel has also been charged with violating the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) approved agreement by the ITF inspectors on Monday as part of the Flag of Convenience action week in Kochi. During the inspection it was found that the vessel was lacking in several safety norms and the crew were paid very low wages.
The vessel owners have also been asked to sign an ITF approved Collective Bargaining Agreement for the benefit of the crew.
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