Australia Cruise Ship Evictions Tread Diplomacy Tightrope
Australia is pushing foreign-flagged cruise ships to leave its territorial waters amid the coronavirus pandemic, walking a diplomatic tightrope as it also tries to bring home citizens trapped on ships abroad.Western Australia state Premier Mark McGowan on Wednesday called on the federal government to kick out the German-owned MV Artania after the crew was reported to have asked the Australian Border Force (ABF) for permission to stay until April 14.“If what’s required is to clean the ship as a condition of getting it underway, well then do that ...
YM Efficiency Docks in Sydney after Losing 83 Containers at Sea
A Taiwan-owned cargo ship docked safely in Sydney on Wednesday after losing 83 containers off the coast of Australia during a massive storm which saw the ship battered by five metre (15 feet) swells.The YM Efficiency limped into Sydney with a container hanging halfway off its side. It had arrived off Sydney four days earlier but was kept out at sea because the city's main port was closed due to bad weather.The challenge for port operators is to unload the remaining 26 damaged containers without the rest toppling into Port Botany.The Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp owned containership was travelling from Taiwan to Sydney when it sailed into a major storm about 30 kms (18 miles) off the country's east coast…
Australia Plans to Limit LNG Exports
Australia's conservative government unveiled a radical plan on Thursday to restrict exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at times when domestic shortages push up local prices, aiming to ease soaring energy costs for local manufacturers. The plan would allow Australia's resources minister to impose controls on LNG exports on advice from the market operator and regulator, as the government seeks to cap domestic gas prices, which have become a political hot potato. "It's not a threat. This will be export controls.
Australian Icebreaker Refloated in Antarctica
Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis was refloated on Friday, two days after running aground in Antarctica while on a mission to resupply the Mawson Station, Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. The ship broke free of its moorings during a blizzard on Wednesday morning. None of the 67 expeditioners and crew on board on the ship, owned by P&O Maritime Services, were injured, according to the Australian Antarctic Division. "Expeditioners on board the Aurora Australis have been successfully transferred by barge to Mawson Station," it said. The Aurora Australis departed Australia's Tasmania island in early January to conduct research on an undersea geological formation. Ships traveling to and from Antarctica often face risky conditions.
Good News for Incat
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. has reported that Incat, in receivership since March, has completed the partial sale of one of its vessels, for $20 million, significantly aiding the financially stricken company. According to the report, Sydney-based Record Investments has acquired an interest in one of the company's older catamarans. Incat reportedly retained a stake in the vessel due to a variety of potential charterers interested in the vessel.
Weather Shuts Down Sydney
Strong winds and high seas forced authorities to close Sydney's port to passenger and cargo ships on Saturday. Winds of up to 59 mph lashed the coast of New South Wales state, bringing down power lines and unroofing a handful of homes. A Sydney Ports spokeswoman said swells of between 22 to 33 feet and wind gusts up to 35 knots inside Sydney Harbour forced the port's closure until at least Sunday. Australian Broadcasting Corp radio said the P&O passenger liner Pacific Sky, with about 1,500 passengers on board, was one of four ships forced to ride out the storm off Sydney. Police rescued four people from a 33-m (108-ft.) motor cruiser which sank in heavy swells and winds of up to 50 knots off Sydney late on Friday after it hit a submerged object.
