News Update – 13th to 19th May
COVID-19’s Impact on Seafarer Populations Will be Felt for Years to Come | G Captain- 13th May
he crew change crisis is raging on, as changing Covid-19 restrictions complicate seafarer movements – and the ripple effects may continue to spread for the next five years. The crewing crisis and the increasing safety risks of operating in a tense geopolitical environment are harming morale. Operations and training institutes are impaired by increased restrictions. There are concerns that seafarer population growth, which is already lower than needed, will slow down even further.
https://gcaptain.com/covid-19s-impact-on-seafarer-populations-will-be-felt-for-years-to-come/
How the Shipping Industry Sails Through Legal Loopholes | The Tyee – 13th May
Inside the murky world of dodges that let firms harm workers and the environment.
https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/05/13/How-Shipping-Industry-Sails-Through-Legal-Loopholes/
Maersk launches seafarers’ cadet programme for women in pact with AMET-Chennai | Trend Radars – 13th May
Global container logistics major Maersk on Friday announced the launch of the country’s first seafarers’ cadet programme for women in partnership with Chennai-based Academy of Maritime Education and Training.
https://www.trendradars.com/science/show/394570/
India to be next cruising destination for the world: Union ports minister Sonowal | Times of India – 14th May
Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday announced a high-level advisory committee, that includes members from international cruise lines, to assist the Apex Level Committee on Cruise Tourism in order boost the industry across India including Mumbai.
Fury as P&O Dutch staff get 5% pay rise weeks after firm sacked 800 UK workers | Mirror – 15th May
More than 100 employees of the firm in the Netherlands will receive a 5% pay rise despite the company claiming it had been forced to replace UK seafarers with agency staff as it had no money
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fury-po-dutch-staff-5-26966632
Seafarers win commitment to mandatory internet access in international law | ITF Seafarers – 16th May
Seafarers’ groups have won the right to mandatory social connectivity for crews –including internet access – in updates to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), but are disappointed that shipowners and governments may seek to charge for it.
New Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention Draw on Pandemic Lessons | G Captain – 16th May
Stakeholders in the global shipping industry have adopted new amendments to Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) aimed at improving the living and working conditions of seafarers.
https://gcaptain.com/new-amendments-to-the-maritime-labour-convention-draw-on-pandemic-lessons/
Protesters Block Tanker with Russian Cargo from Entering UK Port | G Captain – 16th May
Greenpeace protesters have blocked the entry of a Greek tanker into a southern English port due to its Russian fuel cargo with police making arrests, the green group said on Monday, drawing condemnation from the British government.
https://gcaptain.com/protesters-block-tanker-with-russian-cargo-from-entering-uk-port/
Video: Japan Coast Guard Airlifts Crew After Cargo Ship Lists | Maritime Executive – 16th May
A smaller domestic cargo ship reported to the Japan Coast Guard that its cargo had shifted, causing the vessel to lose stability and list to starboard during heavy weather off the east coast of Honshu.
Pre-election national fleet tantrum shows it’s time for industry to abandon Shipping Australia Limited | ITF Seafarers – 17th May
Shipping experts have welcomed a ‘unity ticket’ on Australian jobs and fuel security ahead of the country’s election Saturday. But the ITF and its affiliates warn that rogue lobbyists, Shipping Australia, risk undermining the policy advances on cabotage and have called on its supporters in the industry to abandon it.
Simplify and standardise to support seafarers | Seatrade Maritime News – 17th May
New technologies and regulations have the potential to improve safety and seafarer’s lives, but the industry must keep an eye on crew workloads.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/simplify-and-standardise-support-seafarers
Pacific Northwest Ports, Cruise Lines to Explore ‘Green Corridor’ for Cruise Ships | G Captain – 17th May
Ports and cruise lines in the Pacific Northwest have announced plans to explore the possibility of creating the world’s first maritime ‘green corridor’ for cruise ships.
Global shipowner group and seafarers’ unions agree new three-year global minimum wage ‘safety net’ deal | ITF Seafarers – 18th May
Maritime transport is the only sector with a formally recognised global minimum wage, which has existed for seafarers since 1958. The following is the outcome of global minimum wage negotiations. All figures are in US Dollars.
From Longview to Tanzania: the long, strange journey of a Chinese crew struggling to get home | The Seattle Times – 18th May
“When we went on board, one of the seafarers came right up to us and said, ‘We want to go home,’” recalled Jeff Engels, who is based in Seattle for the federation, an association of international unions. “That’s what this is about. Getting them home.”
Women in Maritime Survey Shows Uneven Progress on Gender Equality | Maritime Executive – 18th May
Female employment remains low in seafaring roles, according to data from IMO and WISTA’s first ever Women in Maritime Survey, but female representation is strong in some shoreside sectors of the industry. On average, 29 percent of today’s total industry workforce is female, and 39 percent of female employees are in mid-management roles.
Port Unions Says Health And Safety Judgement Must Be Appealed | Scoop NZ – 18th May
A decision in the Napier District Court by Judge Rea last week has seen charges against stevedoring company ISO dismissed.
Three die, two missing after tugboat sinks off southern Italy | Reuters – 19th May
Three people died and two were still missing after a tugboat sank off the southern Italian coast while pulling a pontoon on a route between Italy and Albania, the coastguard said on Thursday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/five-die-after-tugboat-sinks-off-southern-italy-2022-05-19/
Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant
Inspectorate Coordination
International Transport Workers’ Federation
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London, SE1 1DR
Direct Line: 0207 940 9103