ITF News Update – 29th Aug to 1st Sept
Report: Wakashio’s Master Attempted to Escape From Prison | Maritime Executive – 29th August
The master of the wrecked bulker Wakashio, which went aground off the coast of Mauritius last year, has allegedly attempted to escape from a special COVID-positive detention center in Port Louis.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/report-wakashio-s-master-attempted-to-escape-from-prison
Maritime Union statement on port worker vaccination | Scoop NZ – 30th August
The Maritime Union has made a statement to confirm its position on the vaccination of port workers.
Denmark starts offering vaccines to seafarers | Splash 247 – 30th August
The Danish government has just announced that it will start offering vaccines for seafarers calling Danish ports or transiting Danish airports, becoming the latest European nation to prioritise seafarers of all nationalities for a Covid jab. Denmark will be offering one-shot Johnson & Johnson jabs.
https://splash247.com/denmark-starts-offering-vaccines-to-seafarers/
Singapore to offer Covid-19 vaccines to non-resident foreign seafarers | The Straits Times – 30th August
SINGAPORE – Eligible, non-resident foreign seafarers will have the option of receiving Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore starting on Monday (Aug 30), said Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat.
Gulf Sky: ‘Our ship was hijacked and taken to Iran’ | BBC News – 31st August
In July 2020, the oil tanker Gulf Sky vanished from waters off the United Arab Emirates, along with its crew. Days later it turned up in Iran where it’s now suspected to be working as a “ghost ship” – helping the regime ferry oil in breach of sanctions. For the first time, eight former crew have spoken to the BBC about the ship’s disappearance, saying they were hijacked by a group of armed men. All but the captain have asked not to be named, out of fear for their safety and livelihoods.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56950323
Singapore and Queensland to vaccinate non-resident seafarers | Lloyd’s List – 31st August
Queensland is the first Australian jurisdiction to vaccinate international seafarers at ports, with the seafarers’ union calling for the programme to be rolled out nationwide
Both Singapore and an Australian state government have announced plans to vaccinate non-resident crews to help reduce coronavirus transmission
Remembering John Coombs | ITF Seafarers – 1st September
On behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and with great sadness, it is my responsibility to inform you that John Coombs, retired National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia has passed away this morning after a long illness.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/remembering-john-coombs
Shipping companies prefer fully vaccinated seafarers – ITF union | Manila Times – 1st September
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) confirmed that several manning companies are indeed only hiring seafarers who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
DNV Maritime boss highlights seafarer crisis once again | Seatrade Maritime News – 1st September
Speaking to journalists at a virtual press conference yesterday, he said that there are still an estimated 90,000 seafarers unable to come ashore after 18 months.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/dnv-maritime-boss-highlights-seafarer-crisis-once-again
Crew change crisis figures stabilise | Seatrade Maritime News – 1st September
The monthly Crew Change Indicator is a calculated, weighted average of the percentage of seafarers still onboard vessels beyond the end of their contracts. The latest update shows 8.9% of seafarers are onboard beyond their contract of employment, down from 9.0% last month. The number of seafarers onboard for over 11 months—the maximum period of continuous service without leave set by the Maritime Labour Convention—was 1.2%, down from 1.3% in the prior month.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/crew-change-crisis-figures-stabilise