Villa-Deste

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) was contacted by a crew member of the "Villa Deste", claiming that the crew did not have food and no on board wages, and were currently being fed on a $4 food budget per day. The email read: “Dear itf, This is one crew of mv villa deste we are now at haypoint australia ancorage plz help us sir because we have no food already and no salary. Also the captain is no good the budget of our food per day is 8 dollars but the captain only give as 4 dollars we are hungry please help.. Thank you for ur best response.” The ITF further accused the BHP company of continuing to block its requests to inspect the vessel, currently at anchor at BHP’s Hay Point Coal Terminal in Mackay, north Queensland. The "Villa Deste" is owned by a Greek company Evalend Shipping Company SA. The ITF also inspected another vessel owned by the company, the "Penelope L", on July 3, 2018 at the Port of Fremantle and found the same issues, seafarers employed under the lowest conditions possible with decaying food supplied to the crew. The ITF claimd it has previously contacted the Department of Home Affairs about BHP’s denial of grant access for ITF inspectors to inspect ships at Hay Point. Full report: https://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/crew-conditions-on-bulk-carrier-heightens-continuing-row-over-flag-of-convenience-vessels_10735