Oil/Chemical Tanker SWAN SPIRIT Detained in Cairns

The Liberian-flagged oil/chemical tanker SWAN SPIRIT (IMO 9852286) was detained by port state control authorities following an inspection at Cairns, Queensland, on 27 Aug 2026. The inspection, conducted under the Tokyo MoU, identified four deficiencies aboard the vessel, one of which was classified as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the ship in port. The SWAN SPIRIT has a gross tonnage of 7,368 and a deadweight of 11,767 tonnes. The vessel is managed under the International Safety Management Code by NORSTAR SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD, which is responsible for addressing the identified deficiencies before the ship can be cleared to resume operations. Port state control inspections under regional agreements such as the Tokyo MoU are designed to verify that foreign-flagged vessels calling at member ports comply with international safety, environmental, and labour standards. Detentions occur when inspectors determine that deficiencies pose a risk to the safety of the ship, its crew, or the marine environment, and the vessel is not permitted to sail until the issues are rectified and verified by authorities. No further details regarding the specific nature of the detainable deficiency or the timeline for the vessel's release have been disclosed.