ITF News Update
Seafarers contributed to the successes of MARPOL-GMNOA
Captain Etoenyo Onassis Bankas, the General Secretary of the Ghana Merchant Navy Officers Association (GMNOA), has said that the successes chalked up in the implementation of the convention on pollution at seas can be attributed to the seafarers.
Government opens more opportunities for sustainable Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries outside the EU
More opportunities for sustainable Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries outside the EU through commercial and recreational fishing. Today’s announcement is another step in the government’s work to deliver thriving, sustainable fisheries outside the EU.
Three Bulk Carriers Robbed In Singapore Strait
SINGAPORE, Aug 11 (Reuters) – Three bulk carriers were robbed in the Singapore Strait earlier this week, a Singapore-based regional maritime security centre on Friday. One of the busiest commercial waterways in the world has seen a spike in piracy in recent years.
https://gcaptain.com/three-bulk-carriers-robbed-in-singapore-strait/
IMO III 9: Guidance on remote survey and ISM Code audits finalized
The 9th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 9) agreed on guidelines for remote surveys and ISM Code audits in extraordinary circumstances, and on updates to the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) and the procedures for port state control.
World’s Largest Cruise Ship to Set Sail as Industry Rebounds
Turku, Finland — With cruise bookings seeing a resurgence after the Covid pandemic caused luxury liners to mothball, a Finnish shipyard is putting the final touches on what will be the world’s largest cruise ship.
https://www.voanews.com/a/world-s-largest-cruise-ship-to-set-sail-as-industry-rebounds/7217990.html
Jamaica & Canada Sign Agreement to Benefit Seafarer Training and Employment
Jamaica and Canada have signed a Reciprocal Recognition Agreement to enable seafarers from the two countries to work on ships sailing under the Jamaican or Canadian flags. The agreement was signed at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization on Monday by Joanna Manger, Director General, Marine Safety & Security at Transport Canada, and Rear Admiral (retd) Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.
Seafarers COC Recognition: NIMASA Signs MoU with 16 Countries, Ratifies 6 Conventions
Fresh indication have emerged that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between year 2020 and 2023 under the administration of Dr Bashir Jamoh as Director General, has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on the recognition of Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Training of Seafarers between Nigeria and Sixteen countries.
New fisheries measures announced
Proposals to introduce electronic tracking and monitoring technology for small fishing vessels will be consulted on as part of package of new fisheries measures announced today.
https://www.gov.scot/news/new-fisheries-measures-announced/
Ukraine Begins Registering Ships for its Humanitarian Shipping Corridor
Ukraine has reportedly started registering ships days after it announced creation of a “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea last week. The temporary corridor is meant to release ships trapped in Ukrainian ports since the Russian invasion started, as these vessels were not covered in the recently terminated grain export deal.
US and UK Warn Merchant Ships to Sail as Far as Possible Away from Iran
With tensions remaining high after a series of incidents in the Persian Gulf region and specifically the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. and UK authorities both issued warnings as a “precaution” to shipping in the region to avoid Iranian waters and remain on added alert.
ETF update: seeking a Just Transition for women transport workers
The transport sector is characterised by occupational segregation. Only 22% of all European transport workers are women – and the percentage is even lower in maritime. Occupational segregation (systemic exclusion of women) occurs across all transport modes.
To Fight Sexual Assault and Harassment, Vessel Owners and Operators Must Comply with Heightened Reporting Requirements
In response to increased awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime industry — and following a widely reported account by a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet of sexual assault aboard a U.S.-flagged ship during her Sea Year training — Congress enacted into law the Safer Seas Act (SSA) in December 2022.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/fight-sexual-assault-harassment-vessel-507208
PH assure protection of Filipino seafarer’s rights, welfare in China Maritime Forum 2023
THE Philippine government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), affirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers at the China Maritime Forum 2023. The forum was an international gathering of maritime experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders last July 9–15 in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, China.
Uganda ratifies ILO Convention 190
15 August, 2023On 7 August Uganda became the 32nd country in the world and the 8th country in Africa to ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. Unions in the country have been instrumental in the campaign for its ratification.
https://www.industriall-union.org/uganda-ratifies-ilo-convention-190
The Hidden Victims of the Shadow Fleet
Without their knowledge, seafarers are having their lives put at risk by shady, sanctions-busting oil smugglers. Satyam Tripathi, a 27-year-old seafarer from Uttar Pradesh, India, leans against the railing of the MT Pablo, the oil tanker that has been his home for the past several months.
https://hakaimagazine.com/news/the-hidden-victims-of-the-shadow-fleet/
Tugboat owners plead guilty to safety charges connected to fatal sinking near Kitimat, B.C.
Ingenika went down in February 2021, claiming lives of 2 mariners. The owners of a tugboat that sank in coastal waters south of Kitimat, B.C., causing the death of two mariners, have pleaded guilty to safety charges under the Workers Compensation Act.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-tugboat-sinking-guilty-pleas-ingenika-1.6923387
Maritime Piracy Showing Signs of Resurgence
The Gulf of Guinea witnessed a concerning surge in maritime incidents between Q1 and Q2 of 2023, with five incidents in the first quarter and nine in the second quarter. Out of these, 12 were classified as armed robberies and two as piracy, predominantly targeting anchored vessels in the region.
https://www.hstoday.us/featured/maritime-piracy-showing-signs-of-resurgence/
The Human Factor: Improving Seafarer Welfare Fuels Maritime Resilience
The maritime industry is focused on addressing the major challenges of decarbonisation and disruption. However, improving the sector also requires improving the welfare of those who are its lifeblood. The most effective crew is a happy crew, and nothing encourages happiness more than a safe and functional work environment.
Seafarers face food and drinking water shortages
Mariners are increasingly unhappy at work, as indicated by the latest Seafarers’ Happiness Index (SHI) – findings that come at a time when the crew faces myriad challenges, including a lack of drinking water and insufficient food supplies at sea.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/seafarers-face-food-and-drinking-water-shortages
Eight tons of cocaine found in Maersk reefer at Rotterdam
Dutch customs have recently made the largest-ever drug bust in the Port of Rotterdam by seizing eight tons of cocaine from a container aboard a Maersk containership. According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, the drugs represent an “enormous” street value of €600m ($653m).
https://splash247.com/eight-tons-of-cocaine-found-in-maersk-container-at-rotterdam/
Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant
Inspectorate Coordination
International Transport Workers’ Federation
Direct Line: +44 (0) 207 940 9103
ITF Seafarers Support’: +44 (0) 7523 515097