Star

Svitzer has pulled two of its nine Newcastle tugs out of work after one of the Chinese-built vessels was found to contain asbestos. The Maritime Union of Australia, which raised the alarm, said both vessels were certified as being clear of asbestos before they sailed to Australia. The the asbestos was contained in electrical wiring and had led the union to take a loser look at Svitzer vessels in other Australian ports. Svitzer has confirmed asbestos in one vessel, the "Sitzer Warunda", and inspections wree under way in its sister ship, the "Svitzer Wareggo". The concerns were raised after an asbestos-free certificate for one of Svitzer’s tugs said it had been inspected in Brisbane on a day the union knew it was in Bowen. An electrician preparing the "Svitzre Warunda" for service had suspected asbestos was present in some wiring he cut, and this was confirmed by testing. He said all of the tug’s wiring was being replaced, and inspections were taking place on the other tug to see if similar work was needed. Svitzer had kept the relevant authorities and regulators fully informed and would pay for health checks for any employees who worked on either vessel.