Master of the APL England cargo ship charged over container spill

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The Australian Marine Safety Authority has laid charges against the master of the APL England for offences relating to pollution and damage of the marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading.

The charges came as the Singapore-flagged ship, which spilled some of its cargo off the NSW coast last Sunday, confirmed it lost 50 shipping containers in the incident.

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Containers cling precariously to APL England last Sunday after other cargo fell overboard.Australian Maritime Safety Authority

The ship was en route to Melbourne from China when rough seas caused the containers to topple overboard.

AMSA operations general manager Allan Schwartz handed down the charges on Friday, a decision he said was not taken lightly.

"This and other incidents remind us of the important role the ship's master has in ensuring the ships that ply our waters are operated safely and do not damage our marine environment," Mr Schwartz said in a statement.

The decision does not detract from the responsibility of the ship's owner, APL Singapore, insurer Steamship Mutual, and operator ANL, he added.

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One of the shipping containers is salvaged from Birdie Beach on the Central Coast of NSW on Thursday.AAP/Darren Pateman

The AMSA also ordered $22 million from APL Singapore under the Protection of the Seas Act, which must be paid before the ship will be released from detention at the Port of Brisbane.

"This provides a commitment that they will remediate all impacts of this incident. That $22 million covers estimated costs, including that of a clean-up," Mr Schwartz said.

Operator ANL said in a statement on Saturday the APL England's crew had done well to manoeuvre the ship to safety amid poor weather conditions.

"This was an unnerving event, even for seasoned maritime professionals, and the captain and the crew have ANL's full support," the operator said.

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Workers inspect the remains of shipping containers washed up on Birdie Beach, NSW.AAP/Darren Pateman

ANL also said it had contracted two companies to help with the clean-up, including the removal of debris and spilled containers.

So far, some 15 containers have been accounted for.

NSW Maritime acting executive director Alex Barrell on Friday said about 100 people were working between Wollongong and Port Stephens to remove containers and their contents from beaches and bays.

Efforts were focused on Cronulla and nearby Sydney beaches at Little Bay, Maroubra and Tamarama, as well as at Newcastle and Port Stephens.

The authority's investigation is continuing.

AAP