MSC Says It's Not Targeted By Australia Vessel Ban

Following Australia's move to ban the containership MSC Kia Ora for unpaid crew wages, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company said in a statement that it does not oversee the maintenance, or the workforce, of the chartered banned vessel, Kia Ora.

The statement follows the news that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Liberian-flagged containership MSC Kia Ora from entering or using Australian ports for three months. 

According to AMSA, the ship's operator Vega-Reederei failed to ensure that crew were paid their wages in full and on time, and that critical equipment was maintained.

"MSC is not the target of a recent Australian Maritime Safety Authority instruction about crew wages: this is directed to the owner of this vessel. The vessel was off-hired immediately upon MSC becoming aware of the AMSA findings," said the statement from MSC.