The master of a Singapore-flagged cargo chip that lost an estimated 50 containers at sea off the Australian coast in 2020 will stand trial in court over the mishap.
Mohd Zulkhaili Bin Alias, 44, appeared remotely in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday for the continuation of a committal hearing.
Containers on the APL England.Credit:Australian Maritime Safety Authority
He had two charges – disposing of garbage into the sea in the exclusive economic zone, and failing to ensure a vessel is operated so as not to cause pollution or environmental damage.
The charges were laid by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
The APL England was travelling to Melbourne from China when an estimated 50 containers toppled overboard off the coast of Sydney on Sunday, May 24, when the ship hit rough seas.
Containers and other debris later washed up on NSW beaches.
Twenty-one containers lost at sea were empty while others had bar stools, food dehydrators, medical face masks, shields and goggles, furniture, range hoods and gazebos.
Mr Alias appeared in the Brisbane court on Monday via video-link from Malaysia. He is on bail.
The committal hearing started with the prosecution dropping the single charge of failing to ensure a vessel is operated so as not to cause pollution or environmental damage.
