Seafarers on three ships at berth in Australia are refusing to sail and demanding to be sent home as the worsening crew crisis leads to industrial action.

According to unions, the strike action is being taken by crew on the NSB Group-controlled 6,078-teu containership Conti Stockholm (built 2000) at Freemantle and the Cargill-chartered 35,000-dwt bulk carrier Ben Rinnes (built 2015) at the port of Geelong, Victoria.