The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned a Singapore-controlled bulker for six months for what it called a "shameful breach" of pay rules.

The Singapore-flagged, 31,000-dwt Western Callao (built 2015) was inspected at Port Adelaide in South Australia on 6 September after AMSA received a complaint regarding the underpayment of seafarers and repatriation issues.

During this check, AMSA found evidence that the employment agreement with the 13 seafarers on board the ship had not been met, and that the crew members were collectively owed about AUD 40,000 ($28,900).