ITF News Update – 23rd to 30th September
At least 1 dead, 19 missing after boat sinks off Cambodia | ABC – 23rd Sept
wo Cambodian crew members abandoned their boat with 41 Chinese nationals on board as it sank in the Gulf of Thailand, leaving at least one person dead and 19 missing, authorities said Friday.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dead-20-missing-boat-sinks-off-cambodia-90370343
Cargo Owners Blame Shipowner for Ever Given Grounding in Suez Canal | G Captain – 23rd Sept
A group of cargo owners are blaming Shoei Kisen Kaisha, the Japanese owner of Ever Given, for last March’s financially catastrophic grounding of the vessel in the Suez Canal.
https://gcaptain.com/cargo-owners-blame-shipowner-for-ever-given-grounding-in-suez-canal/
The tugboats lifted the strike and the Frigate Libertad was able to reach its destination |California18 – 24th Sept
The Government ordered the mandatory conciliation for 15 days in the conflict in the ports that kept the Fragata Libertad anchored in front of Puerto La Plata. The measure is led by the Tugboats union, whose general secretary Raul Durdosdecided to lift the strike only for the flagship to enter the Port of Buenos Aires and the crew members meet with their families.
Bangladesh Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises to 31 |US News – 25th Sept
DHAKA (Reuters) – At least 31 people were killed and some were missing after a boat packed with Hindu devotees sank on Sunday in Bangladesh, officials said on Monday, in the worst waterways disaster to hit the country in more than a year.
Unions call for disgraced P&O Ferries boss to be booted off Interferry speaker list | Nautilus – 26thSept
Nautilus International and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have expressed their outrage to the organisers of the annual Interferry Conference, after they invited disgraced P&O Ferries CEO Peter Hebblethwaite to speak at the Seattle event.
South Korea Accuses Liberian Maritime Officials of Rape | Daily Observer – 26th Sept
South Korea has detained two employees of the Liberian mission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for allegedly raping two Korean teenagers.
https://www.liberianobserver.com/south-korea-accuses-liberian-maritime-officials-rape-0
Seafarer Abandonment Webinar | Maritime Executive – 26th Sept
Cases of ship abandonment are at record levels, leaving seafarers or fishers stranded in perilous situations – often completely on their own.
https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/seafarer-abandonment-webinar
Video: Nord Stream 2 Gas Leak Prompts Warning to Baltic Shipping | Maritime Executive – 26th Sept
German authorities believe a “targeted attack” is a possibility
MMEA detain tugboat with seven-member crew near Pulau Burung in Labuan | Sun Daily – 27th Sept
“During inspection the tugboat failed to produce valid documents. There was no master name at the reverse side of the Certificate of Malaysia Registry Book and also failed to adhere to the Domestic Shipping License requirements,” said Nudin.
Flowers and prayers for missing Filipino seafarers| CDN – 27th Sept
Seafaring is one of the most dangerous profession due to perils where some may go missing or die in maritime disasters or unknown reasons.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/465964/flowers-and-prayers-for-missing-filipino-seafarers
International Seafarers Suffer $65 Million in Wage Theft Annually in Australian Waters | Mirage – 27thSept
Seafarers working on foreign-registered freight ships in Australian waters face regular theft of wages and other entitlements due to legal loopholes and lax enforcement of labour standards, according to a new research report published today by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.
https://www.miragenews.com/international-seafarers-suffer-65-million-in-862275/
Transport Canada issues $62,000 in penalties in tugboat sinking | Vancouver Sun – 27th Sept
“That’s a slap in the face to everyone,” said Judy Carlick-Pearson, wife of tugboat Capt. Troy Pearson. “If you’re only having to pay $62,000 for potentially taking the life of two men, who’s to say they’ll clean up their operations?”
The Maritime Union of India facilitates the return of an Indian seafarer from Libya | Hellenic Shipping News – 27th Sept
India’s oldest association of Merchant Navy officers, The Maritime Union of India (MUI) has facilitated the return of an Indian seafarer, Roshan Raj who sailed to Misrata on the ship ‘East Express’ on 19 January 2022 and got stranded at Libyan port. Roshan Raj is a native of Patna city of Indian state of Bihar.
Marina denies making seafarers ‘milking cows’ | Manila Times – 28th Sept
The accusation stemmed from an alleged Marina memorandum circular (MC) that the fines for seafarers who were found to have submitted false testimonies and fake documents in an attempt to secure certificates will be increased to P50,000 up to P1 million.
Tanker Avoiding Sanctions Hits Maersk-Operated Boxship off Malaysia | Maritime Executive – 28thSept
A containership and an Aframax tanker collided during the early morning hours of September 28 in the busy Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Indonesia. While the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is reporting no injuries to the 45 crew on both vessels or oil leaks, questions are emerging about the identity of the tanker and its current operations.
Cargo ship abandoned following power loss in Gulf of Tonkin; all 14 crew rescued | Baird – 28thSept
Vietnamese maritime authorities came to the aid of 14 individuals who abandoned a cargo vessel after it became disabled and went adrift in the Gulf of Tonkin on Sunday, September 25.
https://www.bairdmaritime.com/ship-world/dry-cargo-world/cargo-ship-abandoned-following-power-loss-in-gulf-of-tonkin-all-14-crew-rescued/
InterManager: Seafarers must be considered when developing shipping technology | Safety4Sea – 28thSept
As World Maritime Day embraces the role of technology in helping shipping to achieve its green goals, ship manager association InterManager emphasises the importance of keeping seafarers in mind when implementing digital solutions and new ways of working at sea.
World Maritime Day showcases technology for ‘greener’ shipping | United Nations – 29th Sept
How shipping can contribute to a more sustainable future for all is the focus of World Maritime Day, celebrated on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1129027
Abandonment of seafarers set to reach record levels in 2022 | Nautilus – 29th Sept
Maritime is facing a rising humanitarian crisis as cases of seafarer abandonment around the world are likely to reach record levels for a third year in a row, according to figures presented at a conference ahead of World Maritime Day. Deborah McPherson reports
Pragmatic action on seafarer wellbeing crucial for a resilient shipping industry | Splash 247 – 30th Sept
An effective, practical wellbeing programme can retain skilled workers and attract new talent. Small investments now will help businesses through the great resignation and cost of living crisis, writes Sandra Welch, CEO of Seafarers Hospital Society.