Australia Bans Liberian-Flagged Bulker From Ports Amid Crackdown on Crew Exploitation

Australia has banned another foreign-operated ship from its ports after inspectors discovered seafarers had been underpaid and unlawfully charged for drinking water, escalating a widening crackdown on labor abuses in global shipping.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier FPMC B Forever, operated by Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Marine Corporation, was detained in the Port of Newcastle on April 23 following a port state control inspection that uncovered multiple breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

Inspectors found the crew had been underpaid by nearly AUD $15,000 and were being charged for potable water aboard the vessel —