Bulk Carrier KING LOONG Detained in Newcastle Port Inspection

The bulk carrier KING LOONG (IMO 9304124), flagged in Hong Kong, China, was detained following a Port State Control inspection under the Indian Ocean MoU regime. The inspection took place on 01 Jul 2026 at the port of Newcastle, New South Wales. Inspectors recorded a total of 11 deficiencies aboard the vessel, one of which was assessed as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the ship in port pending corrective action. Port State Control detentions are issued when deficiencies are considered serious enough to pose a risk to the safety of the vessel, its crew, or the marine environment, and vessels are typically required to rectify the identified issues before being cleared to depart. The KING LOONG operates under the ISM management of Amoysailing Maritime Co Ltd, which holds responsibility for the vessel's safety management system in accordance with the International Safety Management Code. No further details regarding the specific nature of the deficiencies or the expected timeline for release have been disclosed. Port State Control inspections such as this one form part of a broader international framework aimed at ensuring compliance with maritime safety, labour, and environmental standards. Detentions under the Indian Ocean MoU are recorded and made publicly available to promote transparency and accountability among flag states and vessel operators calling at member ports.