Ports Australia urges calm for WA shipping industry

Ports Australia is calling for calm within the Western Australian shipping industry, urging the State Government and shipping charterers and lines to work together in avoiding circumstances where the WA Government is forced to punish or turn away ships that have passed through ports in COVID-19 risk nations.

Ports Australia said it appreciates the complexities behind managing the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the State Government’s concern and objective to protect its community.

However, Ports Australia maintains this needs to be balanced with the desire to protect the Australian economy.

According to the peak body industry, the WA Government’s statement of intention surely provides a window of opportunity for charterers and the shipping industry to demonstrate the measures they are taking and are prepared to alleviate the concerns of a government.

Ports Australia cites QLD’s recent management of the MV Sanyu, which entered Torres Strait waters (from the Philippines) where it alerted Australian authorities it had unwell crew on board before a multi-agency response was initiated between Maritime Safety Queensland, QLD Health, QLD Police and more.

Queensland Health nurses flew out to the vessel before boarding and conducting tests, revealing that 19 out of 21 of the crew had the virus (the remaining two have since tested positive). The vessel was redirected to Weipa for easier management before a portion of the crew were flown under strict infection control processes to hospitals in southeast Queensland, while a small number was left being monitored onboard to fulfil minimum manning requirements (with QLD authorities closely monitoring the health of those crew remaining on board and reserving the opportunity to bring in a crew to manage the vessel if more needed to be removed for hospitalisation).

Ports Australia said he management of the MV Sanyu addresses three major concerns which should be considered in any similar situation across Australia: protection of Australian communities, continuation of the supply chain, and protecting international seafarers.

Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher discussed priorities the WA Government must consider and the success of the supply chain sector thus far throughout the pandemic.

“Ports Australia is not aware of one instance where a COVID-19 case onboard a vessel pulling into an Australian port has resulted in community transmission, which simply means our protocols are working,” Gallacher said.

“Yes, we need a practical approach to safeguarding our people and economy, but we also need a humanitarian approach to protecting international seafarers who make trade possible,” he said.

He continued that Ports Australia is calling for calm and cooperation and for the Western Australian Government to continue dialogue with the sector, which has outperformed itself in tough times, to avoid inconsistent policy and discord spreading across Australia.