ITF Condemns Newcastle Coal Terminals Over Inspection Obstruction

Two ships linked to a sham seafarers' union have raised serious concerns for crew welfare in Newcastle, with inspectors facing obstruction by port managers. The KIBO (IMO 9719331), berthed at a Port of Newcastle berth, was detained for 10 days at its previous port of call in Ghent, Belgium, after 21 deficiencies were identified. ITF inspectors have visited the vessel to assess crew welfare and establish whether those deficiencies have been properly rectified. Meanwhile, the PROLIN (IMO 9853058) bulk carrier, alongside at the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) coal terminal, has also attracted serious concern from the ITF Inspectorate because of its links to the International Seafarers' Union (ISU), a fake union that the ITF says is associated with the use of sham workplace agreements to undermine international seafarers' wages and conditions. While Port of Newcastle facilitated the snap inspections of KIBO, NCIG management refused access to ITF inspectors seeking to inspect the PROLIN and assess the welfare of its crew. On the same day, the inspector was also denied an inspection on another ship at the Port Waratah Coal Service (PWCS) berth. The refusal raises serious questions about why two coal terminal operators would prevent independent inspectors from checking on workers aboard a vessel where there are concerns about their employment arrangements and welfare. ITF Inspector Dan Crumlin said the actions of port and terminal operators must not be allowed to undermine the protection of vulnerable seafarers. "The commercial interests of coal exporters and shipowners must never be allowed to obstruct efforts to protect seafarers from unsafe conditions, exploitation and mistreatment," Mr Crumlin said. The ITF says the KIBO and PROLIN are linked to the ISU, which it alleges operates in conjunction with Lanibra, a private shipowners' agency offering services designed to sideline genuine trade unions. According to the ITF, these arrangements use sham agreements to drive down wages, degrade working conditions and strip seafarers of protections secured through legitimate collective bargaining. The consequences can be particularly severe for international seafarers who depend on their employment for their livelihood and have limited practical ability to challenge their employer while at sea. Matt Purcell, who is leading the ITF's campaign against the ISU-Lanibra arrangements, said sham unions exploit the vulnerability of seafarers by creating the appearance of representation while removing the protections that genuine unions fight to secure. "A union is supposed to give workers a collective voice and the power to stand up to their employer. A sham union turns that principle on its head. It gives shipowners a way to present an exploitative employment arrangement as legitimate while workers are left with lower wages, worse conditions and fewer protections," Mr Purcell said. The ITF Inspectorate's October intensive inspection campaign is targeting vessels across Australian ports to identify substandard employment arrangements, investigate crew welfare concerns and ensure shipowners meet their obligations to seafarers. The circumstances also recall the COSTANZA, which was arrested and subsequently banned from Australian waters following ITF Inspectorate intervention in Newcastle two years ago. That case demonstrated the importance of independent inspections in exposing serious concerns involving foreign-flagged vessels and protecting seafarers from exploitation. The ITF Inspectorate has written to the KIBO's charterer, warning of the risks that the crew transporting its cargo may be experiencing exploitation or mistreatment. Local MUA branch secretary Glen Williams backed in the ITF Inspectorate's demands. "Ship charterers and port operators like NCIG and PWCS can't wash their hands of responsibility for the conditions under which their cargo is transported. We are trying to stamp out modern slavery in the supply chain while these Australian companies help perpetrators sweep it under the rug," Mr Williams said. The ITF Inspectorate is calling on NCIG and PWCS management to explain their refusals to grant inspectors access to ships berthed at their wharves. Both Newcastle coal terminal operators must ensure inspectors can carry out their work without further obstruction.