ITF News Update – 19th to 25th November
Vatican warns of human rights violations against seafarers | NCR – 19th Nov
Vatican City — World leaders and international organizations must do more to protect thousands of men and women in the fishing industry who suffer continued human rights violations, said Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/vatican-warns-human-rights-violations-against-seafarers
‘I can’t see any positives’: return of cruise ships may bring a storm of protest to regional Australian ports | The Guardian – 20th Nov
Post-Covid cruising industry wants picturesque towns on its itineraries, while locals fear the pollution and damage the ships can bring
Tackling the challenge of recognising seafarer vaccinations | Seatrade Maritime News – 22nd Nov
With crew change set to continue being a challenge in 2022 the vaccination of seafarers and recognition of that vaccinated status are seen as a key issues by senior leaders from across the spectrum of the industry including unions, shipowners, and government authority representatives.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/tackling-challenge-recognising-seafarer-vaccinations
ISWAN looks back on an extraordinary year for seafarers | Hellenic Shipping News – 22nd Nov
With calls and messages to its 24-hour helplines more than tripling last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has had a unique insight into the challenges faced by seafarers around the world.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/iswan-looks-back-on-an-extraordinary-year-for-seafarers/
ISOLATED SEAFARERS JABBED AT SEA BY MAKESHIFT CLINICS | NBN – 22nd Nov
There were 10 new covid cases in the Hunter today, and while most freedoms have returned for the double jabbed, hundreds of seafarers remain stuck on ships off our coast.
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2021/11/22/isolated-seafarers-jabbed-at-sea-by-makeshift-clinics/
Warning of future seafarer crisis due to pandemic suffering | Seatrade Maritime News – 23rd Nov
Maritime employers warn of a crisis brewing as seafarers quit due to Covid deprivations and young people turn away from the industry as a result of the suffering they can see.
MAERSK container ship interrupted voyage after accident in engine room | Maritime Bulletin – 23rd Nov
Nov 23 UPDATE: The ship interrupted voyage to medevac a crew member, who was badly injured in an accident in engine room, understood on Nov 22 or Nov 23, when the ship was sailing along northwest coast of New Guinea, Indonesia, en route from Sydney to Shanghai. Filipino seaman was medevaced by Indonesian Navy, and transferred to hospital, JPO AQUARIUS resumed voyage with ETA Shanghai Nov 25 (she probably, won’t make it in time). Character of accident unknown.
The worst is over for global supply chains, but shipping association says industry faces lingering issues | CNBC – 23rd Nov
The worst of global supply chain disruptions is over, said Esben Poulsson, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping.
Retailers had made a “significant level” of pre-orders and that should help ease shortages of goods, and new container shipping capacity will be added in the next 24 to 36 months, he said.
But the shipping industry is still dealing with other lingering issues, including the difficulties in crew changes and the slow progress in vaccinating seafarers, said Poulsson.
Domestic violence is a workplace issue and a men’s issue, unions tell employers | ITF Seafarers – 24th Nov
A new report calls on transport employers to do more to tackle domestic violence amongst its predominantly male staff with key recommendations for how to do this.
Chinese seafarers’ basic salary to increase 7% from 2022 | Seatrade Maritime News – 24th Nov
China Shipowner’s Association and China National Committee of the Chinese Seaman & Construction Workers’ Union have agreed to sign the 2022 version of Chinese Seaman Collective Agreement, which will be effective starting from 1 January 2022.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/chinese-seafarers-basic-salary-increase-7-2022
China’s seven-week port quarantine snarls supply chains further | Japan Times – 25th Nov
China’s increasingly extreme “COVID zero” policies are standing in the way of a full recovery for the shipping industry and prolonging a crisis that’s snarled ports and emptied shelves worldwide.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/11/25/business/china-port-quarantine/