Source: Radio New Zealand
The Vega has now re-appeared on the shipping schedule to enter Port Nelson next week. Supplied
The former Interislander ferry Aratere has yet to come into Port Nelson for water and supplies, after its booking last week was cancelled.
The ship, now called Vega, has been anchored in Tasman Bay, with about 20 crew from India onboard, for nearly four months.
The vessel has now re-appeared on the shipping schedule to enter Port Nelson next week, although that could change.
A Maritime NZ spokesperson said there were plans for an inspector to board the Vega while it was in Port Nelson last week, before the booking was cancelled. It had not since been informed of any plans to bring the vessel into Nelson.
Port movements and bookings were managed between the ship’s agent and the port, the spokesperson said.
The agent, Inchcape Shipping Services, has been contacted for comment.
New Zealand’s employment law and wage standards do not apply, because the ship is flagged to a foreign country, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The Maritime Union of NZ have raised concerns that the crew are being paid less than International Labour Organization standards.
The Maritime NZ spokesperson said its inspectors had regularly engaged with the Vega, its operator and the flag state about compliance with international requirements.
“The master and the agent have previously provided assurances about welfare matters, including payment.”
The spokesperson said the information provided reaffirmed what they had been told by the crew when we visited the vessel earlier in March.
KiwiRail retired the ferry last August and announced in October it had been sold to a buyer, Jahaj Solutions (F.Z.E), who would deliver it to a shipbreaking yard in India.
It since had the Interislander logos painted over and has been anchored out in Tasman Bay since early December.
RNZ understands issues with paperwork for the ship’s entry to India are the reason it had not left New Zealand.
The Environmental Protection Authority last month said the application for the ship’s export was complete.
The authority told RNZ this week it was unable to provide an update.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
