ITF News Update – 4th to 11th February
Mumbai Maersk Towed Free in Germany | G Captain – 4th Feb
Mumbai Maersk is now safely berthed at the Port of Bremerhaven following a successful effort to refloat the vessel early Friday morning.
Photos and Video Show Grounded Tanker on Reunion Island | G Captain – 4th Feb
We’re getting our first look at the Mauritian tanker that ran aground Thursday on Reunion Island, the overseas French department in the Indian Ocean.
Tanker crew ‘rescued’ from slave-like conditions after Panama refuses to act | ITF Seafarers – 7th Feb
Ten seafarers from Aframax oil tanker Wind (IMO: 9252967) have been freed from slave-like conditions only after the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) demanded their release.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/tanker-crew-rescued-slave-conditions-after-panama-refuses-act
‘Four years of stability’: Union’s veto power over hiring scrapped under ports pay deal | Sydney Morning Herald – 7th Feb
Patrick Terminals and the wharfies’ union have agreed to scrap the latter’s veto powers over new hires at a major container port in a deal the stevedoring giant hopes will put an end to industrial action at the docks.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/four-years-of-stability-union-s-veto-power-over-new-hires-scrapped-under-new-ports-pay-deal-20220207-p59ucp.html
Cruise Ships With Millions In Unpaid Bills Finally Seized; Crew Members Escorted & Released | Marine Insight – 7th Feb
Concerning a US warrant regarding unpaid fuel bills of about $4.6 million, two Crystal Cruise ships named the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were arrested and taken into custody near Freeport in the Bahamas on Friday, per news sources.
https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/cruise-ships-with-millions-in-unpaid-bills-finally-seized-crew-members-escorted-released/
Second Seafarer Falls to His Death While Trying to Read Draft Marks | Maritime Executive – 7th Feb
For the second time in a week, a Turkish seafarer has fallen to his death while attempting to attempt to determine his vessel’s draft after loading. Reports in the Russian and Turkish media indicate that the officer fell overboard and died of hypothermia during a storm at the port of Taman on the north coast of the Black Sea.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/second-turkish-seafarer-falls-to-death-trying-to-read-draft-markings
Time loss during crew change – responsibility when the contract is not clear | Hellenic Shipping News – 7th Feb
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the shipping industry is now facing several issues that used to be normal routine operations. One of the biggest challenges so far has been crew change. Restrictions imposed to avoid the spread of the virus have created difficulties for crew rotation. Shipowners are often forced to deviate from the contemplated voyage to disembark crew. This issue does not only relate to crew and vessel safety, but also creates disputes between owners and charterers.
Time loss during crew change – responsibility when the contract is not clear
Threats for Seafarers Range Far Beyond Those Caused by the Pandemic | Handy Shipping Guide – 7th Feb
UK – WORLDWIDE – As the Covid pandemic attracts headlines of a different sort, it is easy to forget the devastating effect the disease has had on the health and welfare of the hundreds of thousands who earn their living at sea. The threats, dangers and stresses of life on the waves can be manifold however and a new initiative is aimed at assisting those who so desperately need help.
https://handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/threats-for-seafarers-range-far-beyond-those-caused-by-the-pandemic_15156
Three ‘Trinity Spirit’ Crew Members Found Alive | G Captain – 7th Feb
ENAGAO, Nigeria (Reuters) – At least three people died in Nigeria when the oil storage and production vessel, FPSO Trinity Spirit, exploded last week and four crew are still missing, the operating company said on Monday.
Turkish authorities’ seven-month delay in Ukrainian seafarers’ drug import case ‘totally unacceptable’: ITF | ITF Seafarers – 8th Feb
Seafarers’ unions are extremely concerned that four Ukrainian nationals have now been detained without charge by Turkish authorities for more than seven months. The crew are being held over claims the seafarers knew about 176 kilograms of cocaine that was found by officials inside a shipping container onboard the MSC vessel that they were operating.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/turkish-authorities-seven-month-delay-ukrainian-seafarers-drug-import-case-totally
Captain’s Fatigue Led to Sinking of Fishing Vessel in Alaska | G Captain – 8th Feb
A captain’s decision to get under way while fatigued led to the grounding and sinking of a fishing vessel near Whittier, Alaska, the National Transportation Safety Board said in Marine Investigation Report 22/02 released Tuesday.
Captain’s Fatigue Led to Sinking of Fishing Vessel in Alaska
Cargo movement through Inland waterways increases 2.76 times | The Statesman – 8th Feb
While the growth rate of IWT on National Waterways from 2009-10 to 2013-14 was at 1.5%, the growth rate increases to 13.5% in 2020-21 annually.
Cargo movement through Inland waterways increases 2.76 times
UAE transport authority takes tough action over ship manager withholding seafarer wages | ITF Seafarers – 10th Feb
Twelve seafarers who have not been paid for more than nine months have been given a boost as the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure fined the ship’s manager 30,000 UAE Dirham (approximately USD$8000).
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/uae-transport-authority-takes-tough-action-over-ship-manager-withholding-seafarer-wages
China: Crew change for 291 ships delayed over CNY due to positive Covid-19 tests | Manifold Times – 10th Feb
China’s Ministry of Transport, General Administration of Customs, National Immigration Administration, along with other ministries and commissions, reportedly issued a joint statement on 24 January.
https://www.manifoldtimes.com/news/china-crew-change-for-291-ships-delayed-over-cny-due-to-positive-covid-19-tests/
COVID-19 crew change crisis: Have mental health interventions made a difference? | Sea News – 10th Feb
A new report from an international research team led by the University of the Philippines Visayas funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s small grants programme reveals which interventions were offered to seafarers during the pandemic – and which they believed were most valuable in helping to manage mental health and wellbeing.
COVID-19 crew change crisis: Have mental health interventions made a difference?
ITF & ILWU Canada joint statement on 1st anniversary of Ingenika’s sinking | Sea News – 11th Feb
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and our global union family, alongside the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) of Canada and all ITF Canadian affiliates, notes with profound sadness the one-year anniversary tomorrow of the tragic and wrongful workplace deaths of tugboat workers Troy Pearson and Charley Cragg.
ITF & ILWU Canada joint statement on 1st anniversary of Ingenika’s sinking
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
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