ITF News Update – 22nd December to 6th January 2022
AMOSUP announces increase in seafarers’ pay | Manila Times – 22nd Dec
IN what could be considered a reward for braving the pandemic and, in many instances, for serving onboard their ships beyond their contracts, seafarers in over 9,000 ships worldwide will enjoy a 4.5 percent increase in wages and compensation over two years starting January 1, 2022.
‘There’s No Room for Error’: The Humble Tugboat’s Crucial Role in Easing a Global Crisis | LA Times – 23rd Dec
Seven days on, seven days off, the Teresa’s crew members have had a front-row seat to a world economy thrown off balance by the pandemic: ships anchored offshore, containers waiting to be offloaded, so much stuff without a home.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-23/supply-chain-crisis-long-beach-harbor-tugboat
Abandoned seafarers tell of life since running aground in Umm Al Quwain | The National News UAE – 28th Dec
Now back home, crew of Mt Iba reflect on a bittersweet year. It is seven months since Vinay Kumar and his crew left the UAE after washing ashore in Umm Al Quwain on board a shipping tanker abandoned at sea for almost three years.
Expect more chaos in shipping as omicron forces transport workers to quit | World Republic News – 28th Dec
From sailors refusing to reboard ships to truck drivers whose concerns about COVID-related border closures outweigh the lure of higher pay, the transportation industry braces for another year of A roller coaster of supply chain disruption.
Merchant vessel captain returns to India after spending 16 months in Mauritius jail over oil spill | The Hindu – 31st Dec
The Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio, under the command of Captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, was en route to Brazil from China when it veered off its course and hit a coral reef
Ukraine bans access of Russian vessels to its inland waters | TASS – 1st Jan
The document approved by Ukraine’s legislative assembly back on December 3, 2020 indicates that “cargo operations on the inland waterways of Ukraine can be conducted by Ukrainian vessels or foreign vessels, whose shipowners are business entities registered in Ukraine”
https://tass.com/world/1382443
A hundred infected on MSC Grandiosa: they are all asymptomatic, the cruise does not stop | The Medi Telegraph – 3rd Dec
The passengers are almost all asymptomatic, and none have been transported to the hospital. According to the protocol, they were all isolated waiting to disembark and reach their homes
What you missed while we’ve been away | Splash 247 – 4th Jan
The key developments readers might have missed over the Christmas period included Maersk’s $3.6bn acquisition of Hong Kong-based LF Logistics, a distribution company held by Li & Fung and Temasek Holdings.
https://splash247.com/what-you-missed-while-weve-been-away/
Seafaring champion, Natalie Shaw, awarded MBE in Queen’s New Year’s Honours list | Intermanager – 4th Jan
“On behalf of the Board of the ICS I would like to warmly congratulate our Director of Employment Affairs, Natalie Shaw, on being awarded the MBE in The Queen’s 2022 New Year’s Honours List ‘For services to seafarers during the Covid-19 Pandemic’. Natalie’s tireless efforts in championing the welfare of our seafarers over many years is well known, and this richly deserved award reflects these efforts. Well done Natalie – we are proud of you!” said Esben Poulsson, Chairman of International Chamber of Shipping.
Covid rules delay crew change at Chennai port | Times of India – 6th Jan
Stringent Covid-19 protocols that include mandatory RTPCR negative test results have led to long delays in new crew change at Chennai port
Australia’s Labor Party Revives Call for a National Shipping Fleet | Maritime Executive – 6th Jan
The Australian Labor Party has revived plans for the creation of an Australian flagged “strategic fleet” of at least 12 ships to shield the country from supply chain disruption, especially during times of natural disaster or international conflict.
Maritime industry acts to avert another crew change crisis | Freight News – 6th Jan
Shipowners, seafarers’ unions and maritime employer groups are establishing their own approved international network of quarantine facilities to ensure seafarers can safely join ships, despite unpredictable changes to government border policies.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/maritime-industry-acts-avert-another-crew-change-crisis
Rising cyber exposure in Asia maritime shipping | National Cyber Security News Today – 6th Jan
Cyber attacks targeting the marine sector, and critical infrastructure more broadly, are growing rapidly across the world and in Asia. As the maritime industry undergoes rapid digitalization, ransomware attacks continue to escalate. In fact, hackers are narrowing their focus on organizations in the sector, which are seen as tempting targets due to a perceived lack of cyber security investment and potential for significant operational disruption.