Australian holds ladders. If a vessel is fixed to trade to and from Australia, either on a time charter or on a voyage charter, it may be required by the charterers that the vessel is provided with ladders acceptable to waterside workers (stevedores) in that country. The ladders are required because of demands from waterside workers’ unions. These ladders are quite expensive to fit to the vessel and if the vessel requires waterside workers to enter into the cargo holds, yet is not fitted with these ladders, the vessel can be severely delayed.
