Mass Ship Detentions Shake Global Cruise Lines
Five out of six ships inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have been slammed with detentions. The vessels – Astoria, Astor, Colombus, Vasco de Gama at Tilbury, and the Marco Polo at Bristol – are all owned by Global Cruise Lines Limited.
Crew Welfare Failures Trigger Swift Action
The MCA surveyors found serious breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Problems included expired and invalid Seafarers Employment Agreements, late wage payments, and crew members stuck onboard for over 12 months. Four ships fly the Bahamian flag, one sails under Portugal (Madeira).
“This sends a very clear message that crew welfare remains a top priority for us both as a Flag and a Port State,” said Katy Ware, Director of Maritime Safety and Standards and UK’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization. “We must care for the well-being and health of our seafarers who work so hard in the industry.”
Ships Locked Down Until Issues Fixed
The detained vessels will stay moored until all MLC breaches are resolved and the MCA returns to reinspect. The sixth ship, Magellan, also from Global Cruise Lines Limited, escaped detention after passing inspection with no major issues.
This crackdown highlights the UK’s tough stance on protecting seafarers and enforcing labour standards in its ports.
