Update: Finnish Workers Agree to Load NWS Ship after Delays

Following a recent boycott threat, the situation in the Finnish port of Usikaupunki calmed down as the Finnish Seamen’s Union (FSU) carried out a decision of the local court and unloaded the Russian cargo vessel M/V Malachite, owned by shipping and vessel management company North-Western Shipping.

The unloading started in the morning hours of December 16, and concluded by 12 o’clock local time, after which the vessel departed the port.

As World Maritime News reported, the cargo vessel was supposed to be unloaded on December 10, however, the FSU rejected to undertake such actions due to an alleged absence of proper labor contract with ITF onboard the vessel. The FSU wanted to check the vessel’s papers and permissions, and after the crew did not present these, the FSU threatened to launch a boycott.

NWSC took the case to a Finnish court, and after the FSU was ordered to unload the vessel, the representatives of the Union have shied away from the formal receipt of the decision, therefore delaying the process for 2 days. The court ruled the FSU actions to be illegal.

The company recently said that it plans to seek compensation of its losses, and added that M/V Malachite is registered with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and has all the necessary documents complying with MLC 2006.

World Maritime News Staff