ITF News Update
New ITF guidance shows companies how to respect the human rights of seafarers shipping cargo
With 90% of goods transported by sea, companies rely on seafarers to keep their supply chains moving. As human rights due diligence (HRDD) laws expand in scope and reach, many companies are falling behind on their responsibilities.
Only mandatory standards can rescue troubled ferries sector
ITF Dockers’ Section Coordinator Enrico Tortolano addresses a rally for sacked P&O Ferries workers in March 2022. A bilateral agreement was signed today in Paris between France and the United Kingdom over voluntary seafarer employment and welfare standards.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/only-mandatory-standards-can-rescue-troubled-ferries-sector
Workers win Just Transition commitment in landmark IMO climate deal
Young seafarers, part of the ITF Seafarers’ Section’s Young Seafarers Network on a recent visit to the IMO headquarters in London. Young seafarers want action on climate change and a worker-led Just Transition that leaves no one behind.
Seas of Discontent: Seafarer ‘Happiness’ Continues to Decline
There was a notable decline in the “happiness” of the world’s seafarers in the second quarter as working and living conditions continue to lag below pre-pandemic standards, according to the Mission to Seafarers has published the latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) report.
https://gcaptain.com/seas-of-discontent-seafarer-happiness-continues-to-lag-pre-pandemic-levels/
Setting crew welfare priorities: Industry should not expect from seafarers to be more resilient than others
n an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, argues that although the energy transition will cause huge changes to the industry, right now it just seems to be causing confusion, worry, and irritation.
Body of missing crew member on sunken Suez Canal tugboat retrieved
The vessel collided with a US-bound liquefied petroleum gas tanker on Saturday, killing one person and injuring six. The body of Sayed Moussa, a crew member onboard a Suez Canal tugboat that sank in the waterway after colliding with a US-bound tanker on Saturday, has been returned to his family, the canal’s administrators have said.
Feds call attention to maritime ‘near misses’
Confidentiality stressed as Biden administration seeks comment on new database. WASHINGTON — Federal officials are pushing the U.S. maritime industry to submit to the government information on incidents that had nearly resulted in vessel collisions as a way to improve safety.
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/feds-call-attention-to-maritime-near-misses
Companies help women break maritime glass ceiling
Initiatives by companies to help women break the glass ceiling in the maritime industry are bearing fruit. Integrated logistics major A.P. Moller-Maersk has seen a fivefold increase in the number of women cadets joining the male-dominated seafaring profession in 2022 compared to the previous year.
IMO: Revised PSC procedures effective from January 2024
The Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) 9th session took place 31 July to 04 August 2023 where, among other things, the draft amendments to the Procedures for Port State Control were finalised.
https://safety4sea.com/imo-revised-psc-procedures-effective-from-january-2024/
Full clean ahead: can shipping finally steer away from fossil fuels?
Electric ships, hydrogen, ‘air lubrication’ and even good old wind power are reducing emissions, but campaigners say true change will ‘take guts’. The passenger ferry MV Sea Change is due this month to make its maiden voyage across San Francisco Bay.
Questions and Answers on Maritime safety: new proposals to support clean and modern shipping
What is the aim of the Directive on flag state requirements? Flag States (the State which registers the ship and under whose law it operates) are the keystone for ensuring maritime safety. Each flag State must take all necessary measures to attest to the ship’s safety and compliance with international rules and regulations, including IMO rules.
Navigating the Future: How Maritime Analytics is Revolutionizing Europe’s Shipping Industry
Navigating the future of Europe’s shipping industry is no small task. With a complex network of routes, vessels, and ports, the industry is a vital part of the continent’s economy. However, it’s also an industry that’s ripe for innovation.
LIVE: Multiple Brittany Ferries disembark Plymouth-bound Pont Aven after falling ill
Brittany Ferries has confirmed a medical emergency has caused the ship to dock in Brest on its way to Plymouth from Santander. A Brittany Ferries ship has diverted on its way to Plymouth due to crew members becoming unwell. As a precaution, Brittany Ferries diverted its Pont Aven ship to the port of Brest so staff members could seek treatment.
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/live-multiple-britanny-ferries-crew-8661974
Seafarers have the right to a healthy and safe working environment
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) supports the idea that overlooking seafarer’s rights is not only illegal but also the cause for major safety threats. In particular, ITF in its Human Rights Due Diligence guidance firmly states that seafarers’ right to a healthy and safe work environment should be respected and treaded with utmost care.
https://safety4sea.com/seafarers-have-the-right-to-a-healthy-and-safe-working-environment/
Seafarers Happiness Index 2023Q2: Seafarers’ happiness levels about ability to keep fit has fallen
In its Q2 2023 Seafarers Happiness Index report, the Mission to Seafarers noted that the percentage of happiness about seafarers’ ability to keep fit and healthy on board, has fallen to 6.9 from 7.1. In particular, many seafarers believe that companies do not budget sufficient funds to establish a proper gym or sports equipment.
CREW REPORT PAY PROBLEMS AND FOOD SHORTAGES IN Q2 HAPPINESS INDEX
SEAFARERS reported unmanageable workloads, disregarded contracts and insufficient food supplies in the latest Seafarers Happiness Index survey. The quarterly index, published by Mission to Seafarers, fell from 7.1 out of a possible 10 in the first quarter of this year to 6.77 in the second quarter.
ILO, EU, Stella Maris to protect fishers
THE International Labor Organization (ILO), the European Union and Stella Maris have joined forces to develop a comprehensive pre-departure orientation in the Philippines that will combat abuses, forced labor and human trafficking among Filipino migrant fishermen.
Young women urged to explore opportunities in oceans economy
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has encouraged young people to explore career opportunities in the oceans economy.
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/young-women-urged-explore-opportunities-oceans-economy
Q&A: Meet the founder of Maritime Inclusion Partners
With more than 25 years of experience in the maritime industry, Jenny Johnson has seen her fair share of recruitment issues, including the under representation of women and workers from diverse backgrounds.
https://www.marinelog.com/views/qas/qa-meet-the-founder-of-maritime-inclusion-partners/
Women in Maritime: Small steps can make a difference towards a more diverse and inclusive industry
According to an IMO-WISTA research, women account for only 29% of the overall workforce in the maritime industry. Women seafarers make up just 2% of the crewing workforce and are predominately found in the cruise sector, while in ship-owning companies, they make up 34% of the workforce.
KVH Joins ISWAN and Its Worldwide Commitment to Seafarer Welfare
KVH is proud to announce its membership in ISWAN (The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network). ISWAN is committed to improving the welfare of seafarers around the world, and KVH will contribute to its mission with a continued focus on innovative technology, services, and content that enhance crew wellbeing.
Sunken tugboat recovered from Suez Canal
The Suez Canal Authority has successfully recovered the sunken tugboat Fahd which sank following a collision with an LPG carrier. The tugboat sank in the Suez Canal on Saturday after colliding with the LPG carrier Chinagas Legend resulting in one fatality.
https://splash247.com/sunken-tugboat-recovered-from-suez-canal/
Ukraine wants ships to keep exporting its grain despite Russian attacks. Some are interested
LONDON — Russia has repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Ukrainian ports key to sending grain to the world. Moscow has declared large swaths of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping. Even the U.S. said ships are at risk of being targeted.
ITF: The many forms of illicit activity against seafarers
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in Respecting the human rights of seafarers in global supply chains presents various forms of illicit activities against seafarers. Withholding pay… Abuse… Abandonment… Failure to repatriate… Repeated extensions of contracts… Denial of basic necessities
https://safety4sea.com/itf-the-many-forms-of-illicit-activity-against-seafarers/
Three Crewmembers Saved from Sinking Tugboat off South Carolina
Details emerged from a heroic rescue that included local forces and the U.S. Coast Guard to save three crewmembers from a tugboat off the coast of South Carolina. The incident took place on August 8 approximately three miles off North Myrtle Beach.
UK visa requirements for offshore workers
Employers of workers within 12 nautical miles of the UK landmass must ensure that appropriate UK right to work is in place, and may be required to notify the Home Office of workers arrival in, and departure from, UK waters. All individual workers employed within the 12 nautical miles need a visa unless they are a British or Irish citizen, and are also subject to notification requirements.
https://www.lewissilkin.com/en/insights/uk-visa-requirements-for-offshore-workers
Ukraine announces ‘humanitarian corridor’ for ships stuck in Black Sea ports
KYIV, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Ukraine announced a “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea on Thursday to release cargo ships trapped in its ports since the outbreak of war, a new test of Russia’s de facto blockade since Moscow abandoned a deal last month to let Kyiv export grain.
Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant
Inspectorate Coordination
International Transport Workers’ Federation
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