ALEXANDER SPIRIT in limbo at No.3 East Berth in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia. 12/07/2015

ALEXANDER SPIRIT has been berthed in the Port of Devonport since the 1st of July. Initially, the ship was intended to depart Devonport for Singapore on the 3rd of July, but her Australian crew of 36 had refused to set sail for Singapore since being informed by their employer that they will be made redundant and replaced by a foreign crew.

Similar scenarios have previously occurred with the then Australian crewed Teekay tankers TANDARA SPIRIT in November, 2014 and HUGLI SPIRIT in January, 2015.

As a consequence of the crew’s industrial action on board the ALEXANDER SPIRIT, ship operator Teekay Shipping (Australia) had asked the Fair Work Commission to intervene. The Fair Work Commission declared that the strike action was illegal, with the Maritime Union of Australia losing a following appeal against that decision.

Crew shortages are now preventing the ship from departing Devonport as five crew members have reportedly left the ship due to stress-related health problems. Ship owner Teekay is in the process of hiring a cook for the crew and once this has been fulfilled, the ship is expected to leave Devonport for Singapore.

More details on events can be found at:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-03/australian-oil-tanker-crew-refuse-to-leave-devonport-after-bein/6594588

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-04/fuel-tanker-operator-defends-replacing-australian-crew/6594964

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-05/standoff-devonport-oil-tanker-crew-and-ship-owner-continues/6595900

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-07/fair-work-order-oil-tanker-crew-to-stop-industrial-action/6601902

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-11/alexander-spirit-may-leave-for-singapore-today/6611798

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-13/alexander-spirit-crew-still-waiting-for-singapore-departure/6613868

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-15/singapore-bound-duel-tanker-delayed-again-in-tasmania/6621740

ALEXANDER SPIRIT

2007-2009: MISS MARINA
2009-Present: ALEXANDER SPIRIT

Type: Oil/Chemical Tanker
Flag: Bahamas | Port of Registry: Nassau | Call Sign: C6XT9
IMO: 9326524 | MMSI: 311021600
Owner: Alexander Spirit L.L.C. - Marshall Islands | Manager: Teekay Shipping (Australia) - Sydney, Australia
Year Built: 2007 | Country of Build: South Korea | Builder: SLS Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. | Location of Yard: Tongyeong
Contract Date: 25.04.2003 | Keel Laid: 12.03.2007 | Launch Date: 20.05.2007 | Date of Completion: October 2007
LOA: 175 m | LPP: 168 m | Width: 31 m | Depth: 17.2 m | Draught: 11.115 m
Lightship Air Draught: 39.35 m | Height (Keel to Mast): 46.25 m
GT: 25,382 | NT: 9,975 | DWT: 40,083
Cargo Capacity: 42,847 cu.m.
Ballast Capacity: 20,652.27 m3
Anchor Chain: Length: 660 m | Diameter: 78 mm
Engine: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, 6S50MC6.1
Propeller: 1 x fixed pitch propeller
Thrusters: 1 x bow thruster
Speed: 15 knots