The newbuild Panama-flagged bulk carrier African Alke was released from detention at 1pm (AEST) on Saturday after attendance by an AMSA surveyor to confirm the training in ECDIS was effective, a spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority told World Maritime News in an update.

Based on the ship’s latest AIS data, the bulker left Brisbane on the same day and is currently at anchor off Newcastle.

The bulker was detained last week after a port state control inspection found that the bridge watchkeeping officers were unable to demonstrate the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to an appropriate standard.

Following the detention, the ship’s operators have flown an ECDIS trainer in from Singapore to train the crew.

The handy ship is operated by Fairview Panama and owned by Japan’s Doun Kisen.

The vessel, had sailed from Mackay to Brisbane, when it was detained by AMSA.