An Australian Senate investigation into flag of convenience (FOC) shipping is set to tighten policing for the 5,700 foreign-registered vessels trading to the country each year.
Chaired by Western Australia senator Glenn Sterle, the standing committee called for closer scrutiny of crew wages and ship security, and greater co-operation between law enforcement agencies that investigate crime on FOC ships.
Announced earlier this month, the moves come against a backdrop of a decline in Australian national flag shipping, which the committee estimates is on average AUD 5m ($3.9m)
