News Update
Battle looms at port over new medical scheme as workers want it stopped
Port workers [Mombasa] are up in arms with their medical service provider claiming the scheme does not cater to their health needs. The workers threatened to call a strike and paralyse port operations to force the abolition of the new medical scheme.
Alarm Over Unabated Fishing by Foreign Ships in South Atlantic Waters
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) joined the efforts warning that an environmental catastrophe is looming in the South Atlantic. They are calling attention to foreign vessels descended on the waters off the Argentinian borderline where they believe unabated over-fishing activities are at their peak.
One year later: How Ukraine-Russia war reshaped ocean shipping
Sizing up the war’s effect on container, crude, diesel, LNG and dry bulk shipping. There have been a multitude of sanctions. Russia has indeed faced challenges importing and exporting. But cargo has continued to flow, like water drawn by gravity around a stone.
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/one-year-later-how-ukraine-russia-war-reshaped-ocean-shipping
Almost half of large Scottish ferries out of action
A significant chunk of the CalMac ferry fleet is currently out of action, with the repair yard so full of CalMac vessels that ferries are berthed elsewhere in Scotland, waiting for space to open up.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/almost-half-of-large-scottish-ferries-out-of-action/
Egypt releases Russian sailors from ship Soy
Earlier it was reported that the crew of the Soy vessel was detained in the port of Alexandria (Egypt) on November 4, 2022. The reason was the cargo that the ship was carrying. On board were 28 tons of a drug banned in Egypt.
https://oopstop.com/egypt-releases-russian-sailors-from-ship-soy/
Key requirements for food, catering and drinking water onboard [and living accommodation onboard]
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has issued a Notice featuring the minimum standards for the food, catering and drinking water on board every ship to which the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) applies
https://safety4sea.com/key-requirements-for-food-catering-and-drinking-water-onboard/
https://safety4sea.com/key-requirements-for-living-accommodation-onboard/
Shipping Industry Steps up Calls to Free Seafarers Still Trapped by Russia’s War
The global shipping industry is stepping up calls for the United Nations and aid groups to help evacuate hundreds of seafarers on more than 60 merchant vessels that are still stuck in Ukrainian ports a year after Russia’s invasion.
Crew Changes update: New entry requirements in Venezuela effective from February
West P&I Club informed that Venezuelan Port Authorities have implemented a mandatory protocol for crew changes in all Venezuelan ports, effective from 10 February 2023.
Two bodies found in search for survivors after tugboat sinks in Greenock
Boat capsized in the Firth of Clyde on Friday, prompting a major search and rescue effort. Two bodies have been recovered from the water where a tugboat overturned off Greenock in Inverclyde.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/two-dead-tugboat-capsize-greenock-b2289556.html
Covid restrictions still frustrating many at sea
There are still a few seafarers working beyond their contracts, and the odd covid flare-up, such as in China at the start of the year, has some port states instituting quick crew change restrictions.
https://splash247.com/covid-restrictions-still-frustrating-many-at-sea/
NIGERIA DROPPED FROM INTERNATIONAL BARGAINING FORUM’S UNSAFE WATERS LIST
The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), a joint global body of maritime employers and seafarers’ unions, has removed Nigeria from its list of countries designated as risk maritime nations, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) confirmed via a recent press release.
Ukraine’s 400,000 transport workers kept the country moving, they deserve peace
“Peace is urgently needed by Ukraine’s 400,000 transport workers. After a year of death, disruption, and despondence – Ukraine’s transport workers deserve peace,” said Paddy Crumlin, President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Finnish dock workers paralyse foreign trade
The dock workers’ strike – which has gone on for two weeks now – has now paralysed Finland’s foreign trade, with no imports and exports going through any of the country’s ports.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/finnish-dock-workers-paralyse-foreign-trade/
Port workers in Italy demand wage hike, safer jobs, and an end to fueling the war in Ukraine
Port workers, along with trade unionists from other sectors, have been resisting the transfer of arms and ammunition destined for imperialist wars through Italian ports and airstrips
Australia Bans MSC Containership for 90 Days: AMSA Calls Out Operator Over Repeat Offenses
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) containership [MSC Kymea II] from entering Australian ports over maintenance and safety-related deficiencies following a string of detentions involving MSC-operated ships.
Stowaways: how to avoid criminalisation
Nautilus is asking members to be aware of the legal implications of stowaways onboard, as assisting them can pose a risk of criminalisation for crew.
https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/stowaways-how-to-avoid-criminalisation/
Uncrewed Ships Set to Bring Diversity Boost
The maritime industry’s movement toward remote vessel operations will not only build a more diverse workforce, it will benefit from it, argues marine robotics company Ocean Infinity.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/uncrewed-ships-set-bring-diversity-boost-503206
ICMA and familiarization of the culture of Filipino seafarers
Unlike land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a Filipino seafarer is required to make an allotment which shall be at least 80 percent of the seafarer’s monthly basic salary, payable once a month to his designated allottee in the Philippines.
A Bangladeshi Vessel Sinks In The Hooghly River
A part of a Bangladesh-bound general cargo vessel loaded with fly ash reportedly collided with one more vessel. It submerged in the Hooghly River, an IWAI official informed on Saturday.
https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/a-bangladeshi-vessel-sinks-in-the-hooghly-river/
RMT calls for a new deal for seafarers
Maritime union RMT, has called on the government to provide a new deal for seafarers after the latest statistics showed a big employment drop in the industry. According to the latest figures, the total number of seafarers employed in the UK shipping industry fell by over 21,000.
https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-calls-for-a-new-deal-for-seafarers/
Human Rights Law at sea: Where we stand
The legal protection of human rights is adequate, but the big challenge in maritime is the enforceability of the law that is already in place, experts agreed in a recent podcast on maritime law.
https://safety4sea.com/cm-human-rights-law-at-sea-where-we-stand/
House okays proposed Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers on 2nd reading
The bill covers Filipino seafarers “employed or engaged or work in any capacity on board foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally.”
Two Ukrainian Seafarers Found Dead Aboard Bulker
Health authorities in Brazil are investigating two mysterious deaths aboard the bulker Caravos Harmony, which arrived at the Amazon River port of Macapá on Sunday.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/two-ukrainian-seafarers-found-dead-aboard-bulker
Heartbreaking tributes paid to tugboat tragedy sailor who died when boat overturned
George Taft was one of two sailors working on a tugboat as it escorted a cruise ship into a harbour in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, when it overturned, sadly killing them both
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heartbreaking-tributes-paid-tugboat-tragedy-29331199
Nigeria: NLC Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Niger Dock to Recall Sacked Workers
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued 14-day ultimatum to the management of Niger Dock to recall sacked workers or face the wrath of the union. This is just as the union expressed displeasure over the conversion of most workers in Lafarge Cement, which, in the past, used to be a very vibrant workplace, into casualisation and contract staff.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202303020181.html
Civil society groups launch Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency at 2023 Our Ocean conference
The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency – a new international community of civil society organizations – today launched the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. The Charter pinpoints the most essential policy priorities needed to combat fisheries mismanagement, illegal fishing, and human rights abuses at sea.
Inland Waterway Traffic Is Rising, and Workers’ Comp Risks Will Follow. Here’s How to Adapt
The combination of ongoing climate change and increased commerce along the inland waterways of the United States could lead to greater workers’ compensation exposures.
Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant
Inspectorate Coordination
International Transport Workers’ Federation
Direct Line: +44 (0) 207 940 9103
ITF Seafarers Support’: +44 (0) 7523 515097
www.itfseafarers.org | www.itfshipbesure.org
www.facebook.com/itfseafarerssupport
The ITF SEAFARERS app is available FREE from the Apple and Google Play app stores.