Transport body demands access to Greek ship

THE International Transport Federation (ITF) is to demand access to a Cyprus- registered ship due to land at the Aughinish Alumina plant in Foynes.

The MV Pontodromon, which carries 22 crew, is mainly manned by Filipinos and was the subject of an ITF inspection in April 2007. It is owned by Greek company Ocean Freighters.

On that occasion the ITF said one crew member was being mistreated and claimed its inspector was assaulted by a crew official while trying to defend that man. It said that crew member was being paid €800 for 300 hours work and conditions for the crew generally were “scandalous”. The ITF also claimed the crew was forced to sign disclaimers against the ITF.