ITF inspection results in positive action by Stolt Norway

ITF inspectorate co-ordinator Steve Trowsdale said: “We are pleased that Stolt Norway acted promptly to resolve the issues of non-payment to its Chinese crew on board the Stolt Kikyo of the coastal premium while trading in Australian waters.

“And we welcome the company’s change of policy regarding these payments to all its Chinese seafarers, together with its willingness to establish a better future relationship with the ITF.

“Our Australian inspector was pleased to accept the invitation from Stolt Norway to meet its representatives in November in order to help the company restructure the way it pays its Chinese crews.”

The ITF investigation revealed that the 24 crew members were owed two months’ wages as well as the coastal payments, totalling AUD250,000. Investigators found that while the vessel’s payroll records were well documented, the premium payments were being processed in arrears once funds had been received by the charterer. Since the investigation, Stolt has changed its policy so that the crews are paid prior to receipt of those funds.