The Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA) has imposed a 90-day ban on the ship BBC WESER, which is registered in Antigua-Barbuda and operates under the management of German operator Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co. This ban marks the second such incident this week and the fourth such ban issued by AMSA this year.
The AMSA banned the BBC WESER due to concerns about its safety and seaworthiness, as well as the potential risks it poses to local marine and coastal environments. The vessel was detained in May after a significant number of defective ballast air vents were discovered during an inspection.
Ballast air vents are crucial safety components that allow air to escape from tanks while preventing water from entering. They play a vital role in preventing the formation of hazardous vacuums within the ship’s tanks.
Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co, the operator of the BBC Weser, has exhibited a history of poor performance, with approximately 20% of its ships being detained in Australia since May 2021. This detention rate is about three times higher than the average for ships visiting Australia.
AMSA has previously issued two warnings to Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co regarding their subpar performance and the potential consequences if improvements were not made. In addition to the ban, a warning letter has been issued to the operator, along with 17 others, regarding serious deficiencies found aboard their ships. AMSA has also indicated that these ships may be subject to inspections every three months to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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