Liberian-flagged ship KMAX Leader fined for breaches

The owner of the Liberian bulk carrier KMAX Leader has been fined $63,000 for failing to adhere to a safety directive from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The 200-meter vessel, which experienced propulsion issues while docked at the Port of Gladstone in October 2023, was subsequently banned from Australian waters for a year due to non-compliance with repair orders. The case highlights the critical importance of maritime safety, especially during cyclone season.

Details of the Incident

The KMAX Leader, a 15-year-old bulk carrier, entered the Port of Gladstone in Central Queensland in October 2023 but soon encountered significant propulsion problems. Following unsuccessful repair attempts in November, AMSA mandated that the ship’s owner, Universal Shipping Alliance Ltd., provide a tow and a fault rectification plan. However, the company failed to comply with these directives, prompting AMSA to take further action.

As cyclone season approached, AMSA made repeated requests for the KMAX Leader to be towed from the port. Despite these efforts, both the ship’s captain and the Australian agent, Universal Shipping Alliance Ltd, did not respond adequately. Consequently, the vessel was towed out of Australian waters in February of the following year and subsequently banned from returning for a period of 12 months.

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On March 5, Universal Shipping Alliance Ltd appeared in Gladstone Magistrates Court, where Magistrate John McInnes imposed a fine of $63,000 for the company’s failure to comply with AMSA’s written directives under the Navigation Act 2012. The court also ordered the company to cover court costs associated with the case.

Implications for Maritime Safety

AMSA’s executive director of operations, Michael Drake, emphasized the potential dangers posed by the KMAX Leader’s situation, particularly during the cyclone season. He noted that two cyclones, Jasper and Kirrily, impacted the Queensland coast while the ship was stranded. “With a cyclone bearing down on the port, the consequences of not engaging a towage vessel could have been catastrophic,” Drake stated.

Drake further asserted that AMSA would take decisive action against any vessel that fails to respond to safety directives. “We will not compromise on the safety of vessels and crew, or any potential threat to the community or environment,” he added. The KMAX Leader remains active and is currently en route from Egypt to Malaysia, according to online vessel tracking data.

In the 2023-24 financial year, AMSA issued a total of 57 directives to vessels and operators for various safety breaches, mechanical deficiencies, and maritime labor issues, underscoring the authority’s commitment to maritime safety.