Yasa-Team

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has prohibed the 'Ocean Bridght' from entry into the country’s ports as an action to protect seafarer welfare. The vessel departed Newcastle on March 8, 2026, bound for Zhuhai with an ETA as of March 26, and the AMSA then issued a ban preventing the vessel from calling at any Australian port for six months. The vessel was directed not to enter Australian waters until September 4, 2026. The action came after the AMSA received a complaint that crew members of the vessel had not been paid for two months. It launched an investigation, after the vessel had docked in Newcastle on March 3. The investigation found that eight crew members were owed US$46,334 in unpaid wages. In addition, a Port State inspection identified several other issues. The AMSA recorded a total of 18 deficiencies, four of which were being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The ship’s owner was required to correct the issues before the ship was permitted to depart. The bulk carrier, then sailing as 'Yasa Team', was acquired in November 2025 by Chinese interests.