A FOREIGN ship crew is suspected of dumping contaminated waste about a kilometre off Williamstown beach in what maritime union officials believe is a regular occurrence in Port Phillip Bay.
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the opposition have warned of potentially devastating environmental consequences for Melbourne’s beaches and coastline.
The claims have been denied by the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC).
Last month, Singaporean vessel Sat Nunki, owned by Greek consortium Apex Ship Management, arrived at Melbourne’s Appleton Dock. The ITF said it was turned away after being deemed too unclean to carry grain as its hatches had previously carried phosphate and coal.
ITF Australian co-ordinator Dean Summers said he was not confident the Sat Nunki captain cared about the Australian environment.
“We believe that if the waste is not cleared up properly, it could hold devastating consequences for the beautiful beaches and surrounding area of Williamstown.’’
He lashed out at the PoMC for “failing to deal with Greek shipowners appropriately”.
The ITF says PoMC CEO Stephen Bradford responded to its letter of concern by stating: “The method in which the vessel undertakes the above requirements is a matter for the vessel or shipping line.”
Opposition environment spokes- woman Natalie Hutchins said Mr Bradford’s response to the ITF was inadequate.
“In other words, the PoMC does not take governance responsibility for foreign vessels that may be illegally dumping contaminated water into port waters.”
She has written to the EPA expressing concern about “very serious environmental breaches in relation to a vessel named the Sat Nunki that was anchored less than a kilometre off Williamstown beach on Port Phillip Bay”.
“I believe that if the waste in question is not cleared up properly, it could hold devastating consequences for the beautiful beaches and surrounding Williamstown and Altona areas.” But PoMC head of corporate affairs Peter Harry said he had spoken with the ship’s agent for the Sat Nunki to determine the hatch-cleaning process.
“Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service had rejected the vessel for loading grain due to some loose rust scale on the tank top and on bulkheads in holds 1 and 4.
“The vessel proceeded to anchor and the ship’s crew worked in the holds by dry scrapping and sweeping … no washing of the holds took place.
“On return to berth, AQIS passed the vessel for loading grain.’’
Kevin Bracken, state secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, said many foreign ships failed inspection only to return a few days later clean enough to carry grain.
“It seems to be a common practice now. Ships will fail the surveyor’s inspection. They’ll go out, sit at anchor, come back four or five days later. Then come back and pass. They shouldn’t be doing it in Port Phillip Bay.
“I don’t know whether the Port of Melbourne knows whether they got rid of what came out of the hold – whether it was rust, or whatever.’’
The office of Environment Minister Ryan Smith said the matter did not come under its jurisdiction and directed the Weekly “to either the Ports Corporation or Ports Minister”.
The office of Ports Minister David Hodgett said it had nothing further to add to the PoMC’s comments.
EPA spokeswoman Tanya O’Shea said a complaint was needed before action could be taken.
Apex Ship Management did not respond to questions before deadline.
