News Update – 1st to 14th October
Crew Vaccinations and Change Statistics Continue Positive Trends | Maritime Executive – 1st October
The challenges facing seafarers that have dominated the headlines for the past 18 months are continuing to stabilize and show slight signs of improvement according to the latest monthly update on the Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator. The data compiled from the largest ship managers shows a positive trend for the issues of crew change while vaccination rates among seafarers appear to be accelerating according to the Global Maritime Forum which reports the monthly indicator results.
US Merchant Marine Academy Faces Serious Sexual Assault Allegation During Cadet’s Sea Year | G Captain – 3rd October
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration are taking a serious look into an anonymous online report by a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadet who claims she was sexually assaulted during her Sea Year training, while also offering “unwavering support” to the victim and others who have experienced of sexual assault and harassment at the federal service academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
After dying of Covid at sea, Indian sailor remains stuck in Mauritius for past 16 days | The Print – 4th October
Bejoy Sequeira, 37, died from Covid aboard MV Jabal Al Khawr on 17 Sept. Indian High Commission, DG of Shipping & Mauritian authorities are working to repatriate the body.
Kenya: ‘I Am a Muslim but I Had to Eat Pork’ – Kenyan Seafarers Claim Mistreatment on China Vessels | All Africa – 4th October
Kenyan seafarers have revealed unbearable working and living conditions and suspicious business activities aboard Chinese fishing vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202110050139.html
Goa seafarer dies at sea; family alleges ship denied him medical assistance | Hindustan Times – 6th October
The Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI), a collective of seafarers, has called for a ‘fair inquiry’ into the death of Beejoy Sequeira, a local lad who worked as a chef on board Ship MV Jabal Alkawar on September 17. His family has accused the shipping company of neglecting his health and denying him emergency medical evacuation, which they say, resulted in his death.
POEA bans employers of Filipino seafarers stranded in China | Business World – 6th October
THE PHILIPPINE Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has blacklisted the employers of 29 Filipino seafarers stranded in Xiamen, China, who were abandoned after their respective vessels ceased operations in May.
https://www.bworldonline.com/poea-bans-employers-of-filipino-seafarers-stranded-in-china/
ITF WILL SUPPORT SEAFARERS WHENEVER OWNERS FAIL TO PAY UP | Media Net – 7th October
The International Transport Federation (ITF) Australia welcomes the six-month ban placed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on the bulk Carrier MV Western Callao for underpayment of crew wages.
https://www.whatsonoz.com.au/news-releases.html?rkey=20211006medianet_pr_959716&filter=17281
COVID-19 – Singapore enhances crew change procedure | Hellenic Shipping News – 7th October
The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has released a new Port Marine Circular PMC 38 of 2021 on the enhancement to their crew change requirements to safeguard the wellbeing of seafarers undergoing crew change in Singapore.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/covid-19-singapore-enhances-crew-change-procedure
Cadets are missing out on sea time due to pandemic travel restrictions | Hellenic Shipping News – 9th October
Restrictions on crew change and repatriations are impacting cadets at a time when the shipping industry desperately needs to recruit more young people.
Time for change: mental health is a collective responsibility | ITF Seafarers – 10th October
On World Mental Health Day (Sunday 10 October 2021) the ITF is urging stakeholders across the transport sector to come together and recognise their collective responsibility in prioritising the mental health of all workers.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/time-change-mental-health-collective-responsibility
Rape At Sea – An Open Letter To USMMA Midshipman X | G Captain – 10th October
Today Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley ordered a one-day safety stand-down at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) to address the rape of a 19 year old college midshipman aboard a Maersk ship. The US Federal Government’s reaction has been swift and strong but the broader industry has mostly remained silent in the wake of this news.
https://gcaptain.com/rape-usmma-midshipman-x/
Vaccinations seen critical for Filipino seafarers | Manila Times – 11th October
Shipowners and ship managers have not explicitly required Filipino seafarers to be fully vaccinated before they sign deployment contracts. They agree, however, other countries whose seamen are fully inoculated will have a definite edge over Filipinos if a vaccination requirement is not imposed.
Seafarers Desperately Need Prompt Access To Medical Care Say ILO And IMO | Marine Insight – 11th October
The heads of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued a joint statement calling for port and coastal States to allow seafarers to receive medical care.
Supporting seafarers on the frontline of COVID-19 | Hellenic Shipping News – 11th October
The COVID-19 pandemic has put seafarers around the world in precarious situations. As of July 2021, It is estimated that 250,000 seafarers are currently stranded on ships beyond the end of their original contracts and unable to be repatriated, due to COVID-related travel restrictions. A similar number of seafarers are stuck at home, unable to join ships and provide for their families.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/supporting-seafarers-on-the-frontline-of-covid-19-2/
MLC coverage proves to be a bigger burden than expected for P&I Clubs | Hong Kong Maritime Hub – 11th October
The recently reported case of crew abandonment, that of the Chloe V, a 320,000 dwt VLCC, which arrived in Singapore in May, and languishes there still with a full crew, is the latest example of a phenomenon that stains the reputation of global shipping.
IMO resolution to designate seafarers as key workers | Offshore Energy – 12th October
Almost two years after the COVID-19 pandemic started, the International Maritime Maritime (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has approved a draft IMO Assembly resolution consolidating issues related to crew change, access to medical care, ʺkey workerʺ designation and seafarers’ prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination.
https://www.offshore-energy.biz/imo-resolution-to-designate-seafarers-as-key-workers/
Stakeholders express concern over abandoned seafarers on vessels | Guardian – 13th October
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has expressed concern about the over 1,000 seafarers currently abandoned on container ships and bulk carriers.
UK, Germany, Switzerland, and EU prolonging supply chain misery by opposing vaccine waiver, global transport unions tell governments | ITF Seafarers – 14th October
Over 375 trade unions, representing over 12 million transport workers from 118 countries around the world submit letter to heads of governments
Stuck at sea, sailors grapple with food shortages, crew fights, health issues | Long Beach Business Journal – 13th October
To Pat Pettit, the 72-year-old manager of the International Seafarers Center, the crew members who visit the landside center at the Port of Long Beach for a place to sleep, a meal or to watch a baseball game are almost like extended family, adopted sons. But recently, she’s seen a lot less of them.
New initiative to protect seafarers’ rights and welfare launched by SSI | Ship Insight – 13th October
The initiative aims to support a safe, healthy and secure onboard work environment, and goes beyond the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to focus on the full spectrum of seafarers’ rights and wellbeing, from fair terms of employment and minimum crewing levels to the management of grievance mechanisms.
Coronavirus: Unions call for improved vaccine rollout | BBC – 14th October
A global coalition of more than 350 trade unions is renewing calls for politicians to waive the patents on Covid vaccines.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58906765
Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant
Inspectorate Coordination
International Transport Workers’ Federation
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London, SE1 1DR
Direct Line: 0207 940 9103
www.itfglobal.org | www.itfseafarers.org
www.facebook.com/itfseafarerssupport