THE OFFSHORE Alliance union movement has launched a social media attack on what it claims is a lack of accommodation for workers on INPEX’s massive Central Processing Unit, Ichthys Explorer, anchored off the northwest coast of Western Australia.
The Offshore Alliance, a partnership of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) claims INPEX’s Ichthys Explorer was never designed to accommodate more than 200 people on board.
“The facility may be big, but the accommodation and common areas leave a small footprint,” the Facebook post says.
“Last year, the Offshore Alliance raised members concerns with NOPSEMA about INPEX’s plan to add 50 POB to the numbers set out in the INPEX Safety Case.
“Despite our concerns, NOPSEMA gave INPEX the approval to vary the CPF Safety Case and our members are now paying the price for INPEX putting $$$ before the welfare of its direct and contractor workforce.”
The union says overcrowding is resulting in queues in common areas, small single cabins designed for one person being converted into two-person cabins and excrement backing up in the sewerage system.
“Mental health is a significant issue for many FIFO workers and offshore workers in particular and is not assisted when companies cram workers onto facilities which are not fit for purpose.”
According to the union INPEX wasn’t prepared to put an accommodation vessel alongside the CPF once the Floatel Triumph departed prior to the completion of all project works.
The Offshore Alliance will again be filing another complaint with the safety regulator about INPEX's OH&S standards and seeking an allowance in its EBA to compensate for the conditions.
“The $$$ won’t fix the problem, but it will make INPEX re-consider the value in them prioritising profit over the welfare of offshore workers.”
Daily Cargo News approached INPEX for comment and a spokesperson confirmed a temporary increase in workforce to be accommodated on the Ichthys Explorer central processing facility in 2026 to support work activity.
“Working safely is INPEX’s priority, always,” the spokesperson said.
“We are firmly committed to the safety of our people, the protection of the environment, and the continued safe operations of Ichthys LNG."