ITF News Update
ST KITTS AND NEVIS FLAG STATE FORSAKES OVER 30 SEAFARERS ALREADY ABANDONED BY SHIPOWNER
The St Kitts and Nevis (SKN) ship registry has evaded its responsibility to more than 30 seafarers by deregistering three ships on which they are abandoned, a tactic which has been roundly condemned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
International shipping must change course and respect human rights: UN expert
NEW YORK (19 October 2023) – The international shipping industry is key to a functioning global economy, but the sector has been riddled with serious human rights and environmental concerns, a UN expert said today.
Swedish Ferry Runs Aground And Spills Diesel
A ferry ran aground in southern Sweden on Sunday, spilling diesel over several kilometres, but the vessel’s 75 passengers were taken to safety, officials said. The Marco Polo TT-Line ferry got stuck south of Karlshamn early in the day, according to the coastguard.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/swedish-ferry-runs-aground-and-spills-diesel-da3df02b
DMW updates list of risk areas for seafarers
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is advising employers of Filipino seafarers to observe payment of appropriate wages and benefits if their operations involve areas that are classified as “war-like” and “high risk” waters.
https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/dmw-updates-list-of-risk-areas-for-seafarers/
Search for cruise ship crew member reported to have gone overboard
The alert was raised by the AIDAperla after the male member of the crew went missing on Sunday morning. The Coastguard and the RNLI have launched a search for a crew member who was reported to have gone overboard from a cruise ship.
Sumatran Indigenous seafarers run aground by overfishing and mangrove loss
INDRAGIRI HILIR, Indonesia — For generations, the seafaring Duano Indigenous community in Indonesia’s Riau province has relied on paddles and basic nets for their livelihood, launching small boats into healthy fishing grounds off the eastern coast of Sumatra.
Report finds ‘major safety issues’ after 2 port workers died in same week
There are calls to overhaul the New Zealand stevedoring industry after the death of two port workers in the same week last year. The accidents were separately investigated by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), which released its findings in a joint report today, due to “commonalities” between the two incidents.
American Maritime Unions Slam Proposal to Operate US-Flag Vessels with Foreign Crews
A coalition of American maritime and transportation unions have voiced their strong opposition to a proposal to create a secondary U.S. flag fleet that could be manned with foreign crews.
https://gcaptain.com/american-maritime-unions-slam-proposal-second-us-flag/
Finding it hard to talk
One of the common threads of the Seafarers Happiness Index has long been the strength of the bonds between those at sea. Over the years, crews have spoken at length about the importance of camaraderie, friendships, mentoring and the helping hand of interactions to get them through tough times.
https://splash247.com/finding-it-hard-to-talk/
WISTA International Conference Focuses on Accelerating Action on Sustainability and Diversity
The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) is setting the stage for transformative action in the maritime sector at its upcoming Annual General Meeting and Conference.
India Announces Plans to Boost Its Maritime Sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a plan to boost India’s cruise sector. Modi made the announcement at the Global Maritime India Summit held in Mumbai. The goal of the vision is to develop the country’s maritime sector by improving infrastructure and reducing shipping emissions.
Shipping: Maritime Workers begin nationwide strike Oct. 30
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Wednesday, said members would resume the suspended strike in the shipping sector of the nation’s economy from October 30.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/10/shipping-maritime-workers-begin-nationwide-strike-oct-30/
Union members vote for ongoing campaign against Flags of Convenience
Members at Nautilus’s General Meeting in Liverpool have voted unanimously to commit the Union to further campaigning against the scourge of the Flags of Convenience system.