ITF News Update – 10th to 17th September
Struggling seafarers need more mental health support from employers | Hellenic Shipping News – 10th September
Cases of seafarers struggling with their mental health will continue to rise unless shipping companies take more responsibility for encouraging crew members to talk openly with a colleague, family member or friend about their problems.
Missing tugboat crew found dead | Phil Star – 12th September
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – A missing crewmember of a tugboat that sank off Mariveles, Bataan was found dead along the shoreline in Barangay Ipag on Friday.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/09/12/2126544/missing-tugboat-crew-found-dead
Crew change crisis: More IMO member states need to act | Seatrade Maritime News – 13th September
Conditions for crew changes around the world have improved in the last six months, but not by enough. The global shipping community needs to maintain its pressure on IMO member states, says Ian Boyd, Group Sales Director – Shipping for the GAC Group.
This time last year, every crew change successfully achieved seemed exceptional. They were complex tasks involving multi-faceted challenges and ‘unknowns’ as government instructions and medical advice changed frequently, even daily.
New Guidance Helps Seafarers and Shipowners Navigate Pandemic Challenges | G Captain – 13th September
Despite improvements in vaccination rates among the world’s seafarers, currently only 25% are fully vaccinated and most are not in line to receive the vaccine through national programs until at least 2022, the International Chamber of Shipping said Monday upon publishing new guidance for seafarers and shipowners address challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://gcaptain.com/new-guidance-helps-seafarers-and-shipowners-navigate-pandemic-challenges/
LGBTI+ transport workers can benefit from new inclusivity resource | ITF Seafarers – 14th September
Transport workers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) stand to benefit from a new resource Fighting for equality: Trade Unions and LGBTI rights, but only if their unions use it. Global Unions launched the set of practical guides recently, a coalition of the world’s union federations that represents hundreds of millions of workers, across every industry.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/lgbti-transport-workers-can-benefit-new-inclusivity-resource
Two Crew On Euronav VLCC Killed By Large Wave Rounding Cape Horn | G Captain – 14th September
Two crew members on board a Euronav-owned Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) have died after apparently being struck by a large wave as the ship rounded Cape Horn on Saturday, September 11th.
https://gcaptain.com/two-crew-on-euronav-vlcc-killed-by-large-wave-rounding-cape-horn/
Shrinking piracy threat of East Africa sees warning levels reduced | Insurance Marine News – 15th September
A decline in Somali piracy has led industry associations BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO to reduce the geographic boundaries of the “High Risk Area” for piracy
Greater visibility and recognition needed in support of seafarers | The Australian – 16th September
The important focus of World Maritime Day this year is Seafarers – at the core of shipping’s future, and for good reason.
ONE Contribution delays illustrate impact of crew Covid cases | Seatrade Maritime News – 16th September
Ocean Network Express (ONE) reported on 1 September that a few Covid cases had been found among the crew of the ONE Contribution prior to berthing in Singapore, and the events that have followed illustrate how quickly Covid can impact individual vessel schedules.
Is seafarer training keeping up with technology? | Tanker Operator – 16th September
The STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is “frankly struggling to keep pace” with changes in technology on ships, said Espen Poulsson, chair of the International Chamber of Shipping, in his opening address to a webinar on Mar 24, “The Future Seafarer”.
https://www.tankeroperator.com/news/is-seafarer-training-keeping-up-with-technology/12598.aspx
US shipper MCS Industries settles court action against MSC and Cosco | The Load Star – 16th September
Home décor supplier MCS Industries has settled its case against Cosco (CSL) and MSC, although the terms of the agreement have not been made public.
https://theloadstar.com/us-shipper-mcs-industries-settles-court-action-against-msc-and-cosco/
Liberia IMO Representative Rallies Efforts at Improving Welfare of Seafarers | Front Page Africa – 17th September
LONDON — Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Moses Owen Browne has called for a concerted effort from all and sundry to ensure that seafarers are protected and their welfare improved.