Central Queensland News

Australia's maritime safety agency has banned a Liberian-flagged oil tanker for six months for the underpayment of seafarers and onboard welfare issues.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it inspected the AG Neptune in the Port of Gladstone, in central Queensland, on June 17 ,2022 after receiving a complaint about multiple breaches of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC).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. Inspectors also found evidence the food and drinking water were not of appropriate quality, quantity and nutritional value for seafarers.

Japan's biggest hydrogen supplier Iwatani Corp and five other firms said on Wednesday they will study the feasibility of building a green liquefied hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Australia that could produce 100 tonnes a day by around 2026.Green hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel made by using renewable power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Roll-on/roll-off  (RO-RO) vessel Höegh Trapper recently returned to the Port of Mackay as part of its Europe US, Mexico and Oceania service.To commemorate the occasion representatives from North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, traditional owners and council members from Mackay as well as customers and service providers were invited to tour the vessel.Being the largest Pure Car and Truck Carrier in the world, the guests were welcomed to showcase the vessel’s flexibility and wide range of cargoes it can cater to.Captain Nicky Colaco, Höegh Autoliners Sales Manager in Australia says: "Since August 2018, Höegh Autoliners pioneered to…

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released a 'Request For Tender' for a level-two emergency towage contract. While the safety standards of commercial shipping have steadily improved, internal experience has shown that a single major pollution incident can result in huge losses, not only to the marine environment, but also to coastal communities, and recreational and commercial activities. Under the contract, effective from June 2013, suitably equipped tugs will be required to respond at short notice to perform first-strike emergency towage services in the event of shipping incidents or casualties. A harbour-tug provider in each of the ten regions around Australia may be contracted to maintain that capability.

The ID Integrity lost propulsion  power last Friday, about 65 nautical miles east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park boundary and drifted towards Shark Reef until reached by tug boats on Monday morning and taken in tow to Cairns, reports Ninemsn. "No pollution or injuries to the crew were sustained during the incident, and there was no damage to either Shark Reef or the Great Barrier Reef," the company said in a statement. The company said it would investigate the breakdown. The incident sparked new calls for tougher regulation of ships in the Great Barrier Reef area. Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said increased sea traffic put the reef in danger."Accidents like the Shen Neng ...

The Central Queensland Port Authority is undertaking one of the largest capital improvement projects in Australia. The RG Tanna Wharf Expansion Project involves extending the pier by 350 meters, widening existing berths, building a 1.3 kilometer onshore conveyor, and creating a new jetty approach. The cost of the construction portion alone is $128m. Marine contractor Realf’s Diving and Salvage was hired to survey the area before the dredging operation could begin. The company is based in Gladstone…

The salvage master who coordinated the operation to move the Pasha Bulker off Newcastle has been brought in to head the effort to move a 75,000 tonne bulk carrier which has run aground in central Queensland. Experts and equipment are being brought in to help refloat the Endeavour River, which ran aground in Gladstone Harbor. A spokesman from the salvage company, Svitzer, says it is likely that efforts to refloat the ship will not be made until later in the week when the tides are more favorable. Svitzer is also bringing in one of its naval architects from Holland who will look at the structure of the ship. Additional equipment, including cables and shackles, is scheduled to arrive.