Containership banned from entering Australia due to sub-standard maintenance

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a refusal of access direction notice on the Liberian-flagged containership MSC Kymea II from Australian ports for 90 days.

AMSA issued the notice on Monday, February 27. This issuance followed months of sub-standard performance from the ship’s operator, MSC Shipmanagement (MSC), including critical maintenance issues.

AMSA has detained nine MSC ships over the past two years, including five ships in 2023 alone. Many of these detentions showed systemic sub-standard maintenance practices onboard.

The AMSA inspection of MSC Kymea II found 21 deficiencies in total, including a defective free fall lifeboat steering system, defective fire safety systems, dangerously-stored flammable materials, and multiple wasted or missing railing safety chains used to prevent stevedores from falling from heights when lashing cargo.

Another MSC vessel inspected two weeks ago was found with a corroded fuel-oil tank air pipe, and the evidence suggests that the ship attempted to hide the seriousness of the defect from authorities by covering up the rusted pipe with canvas and painting over it.

AMSA Executive Director of Operations Michael Drake said the agency’s inspection regime has shown that MSC has failed to meet its obligations to properly maintain its vessels.

For a full list of ships that AMSA has banned, visit: Refusal of access to Australian ports.