13 January 2016
ITF condemns MV Portland seizure
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today strongly condemned the raid early this morning (Wednesday)
on the MV Portland in the Australian home port for which it is named. Up to 30 security guards were reportedly used to
eject the five Australian crew members from the vessel and usher on a non-national crew, which then set sail for
Singapore.
The ejected crew were defending the Portland’s status as an Australian-flagged and crewed ship dedicated to Australian
coastal routes, and protesting against its owner, Alcoa’s, decision to scrap it and outsource the work to a flag of
convenience vessel.
The dawn raid came despite widespread opposition within Australia to the vessel’s loss, as well as from seafarers and
their unions around the world.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said: “They came for the Portland like thieves in the night. This raid and the flight
of this respected vessel – with its 27 year history of serving Australian industry – raises grave questions, not just
about the future of Australia as a maritime nation but also about the fitness of the crew who have been parachuted in to
take this vessel away. The ITF will be investigating these matters fully, including the role of the Australian Maritime
Safety Authority in this affair.”
In a strongly worded statement MUA national secretary and ITF president Paddy Crumlin forcefully questioned the granting
of a licence to Alcoa to use foreign ships for the Portland’s domestic route for the voyage, as well as the way the
replacement crew were brought into the country. See his full statement at http://goo.gl/Eqghe1
The defence of the MV Portland has been supported by trade unions worldwide (see http://goo.gl/7V4xdq) . At the end of
last year the ITF’s cabotage taskforce laid out the economic and national case for its retention. It explained that
protecting maritime cabotage is a legitimate domestic policy, not protectionism. Forty-seven countries have some form of
cabotage law, because it is good for their economies. With a thriving maritime industry, people work in good quality
jobs, consume goods and boost the economy.
Failing to protect cabotage undermines sovereignty and has national security implications. It also has serious economic
implications for maritime regions and communities.
The taskforce also stressed that failing to protect cabotage will mean lost maritime skills and resources – and will
remove the supply of qualified personnel from critical shore-based industries. Businesses whose livelihoods depend on
local industry can be ruined, while job josses reduce government income from taxes.
For more about how cabotage laws protect skills see http://goo.gl/hzqkgE
ENDS