ITF News Update
Israeli-owned ship targeted in suspected drone attack: Reports
The vessel reportedly had its tracker turned off, a sign that crew members likely expected a threat in the region. A suspected drone attack has hit a container ship [CMA CGM Symi] owned by an Israeli businessman in the Indian Ocean, according to a United States defence official.
Three Israeli-linked vessels attacked in a week
Israeli-linked vessels have found themselves in the crosshairs of Houthi rebels and increased security threats while sailing in the Red and Arabian Seas. The last week has seen three Israeli-linked vessels attacked.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/israeli-linked-oil-tanker-seized-off-coast-aden-105160009
Somali Pirates Hijack Iranian-Flagged Fishing Vessel off the coast of Eyl
Pirate activities have resumed off the coast of Somalia, several years after they were slowly starting to die down. Ships are advised not to go close to Somalian territorial waters due to the risk of being robbed by pirates or armed robbers.
Safe return of 17 Pinoy seafarers seen – DMW
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured the families of the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Yemen’s Houthi armed group in the Red Sea last week that the agency is doing its best for their safe return to the Philippines.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/26/2314311/safe-return-17-pinoy-seafarers-seen-dmw
Almost half of women transport workers sexually harassed in last year, RMT union survey suggests
Nearly half of women transport workers have been sexually harassed at work, according to a new survey. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union questioned 1,400 female workers across rail, bus, metro and passenger ferry operations.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/almost-half-women-transport-workers-124500113.html
ITF Seafarers Trust Partners With Sailors Society To Transform Indian Cadets’ Well-being
The ITF Seafarers’ Trust is financing wellness education and assistance for the well-being of Indian trainees and cadets. The program intends to change the nation’s cadet welfare landscape. It is a collaboration between the grant-making trust and the International Maritime Welfare Sailors’ Society.
Panama Canal adds extra queue-jumping auctions for stuck ships
The Panama Canal Authority said it will add extra slots allowing ships to pay big premiums to transit the waterway, which has become congested due to an ongoing drought. The special auctions allow vessels that have been waiting for a long time to pay a one-off fee — at times recently reaching several million dollars — in order to transit the canal.
https://www.ajot.com/news/panama-canal-adds-extra-queue-jumping-auctions-for-stuck-ships
Pinoy seafarers face bigger risk
SEN. Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos is worried that some Filipino seafarers would end up as “collateral damage” in the Israeli-Hamas war as Yemeni rebels sympathetic to Hamas militants seized an Israeli-owned cargo ship with Filipino workers onboard.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/11/28/news/national/pinoy-seafarers-face-bigger-risk/1921795
Britannia Club: Tips for seafarers to combat bullying and harassment
According to Bitannia Club, bullying and harassment can lead to a range of negative consequences, from low staff morale to poor work performance, absenteeism, resignations, distractions, and even health and safety accidents.
https://safety4sea.com/britannia-club-tips-for-seafarers-to-combat-bullying-and-harassment/
Manning Agency Sets Up ‘Family Hubs’ For Pinoy Sailors; Plans To Hire Female Seafarers
Döhle Group and its manning arm, Döhle Seafront say they want to ensure the well-being of their seafearers and their families as well as promote gender equality. Many Filipinos belong to close-knit families that when problems arise, some become distracted and the quality of their work suffer.
World’s Largest Cruise Ship Delivered to Royal Caribbean
The world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas, was handed over to her owners, Royal Caribbean Group, during a ceremony today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/world-s-largest-cruise-ship-delivered-to-royal-caribbean
Annual review from international maritime charity highlights challenges faced by seafarers in 2022-23
The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) reports that demand for its support remained high among seafarers and their families during the last financial year.
Strengthening cooperation for port State control
Collaboration and dialogue to harmonize and standardize port State control procedures and activities worldwide were the focus of the latest IMO port State control workshop.
https://www.miragenews.com/strengthening-cooperation-for-port-state-control-1132534/
More box ships diverting to Suez Canal routes as Panama restrictions tighten
Hapag-Lloyd and Cosco have become the latest carriers to impose a Panama Canal surcharge (PCC), as the worst drought in more than 50 years continues to restrict capacity at the waterway.
ITF’s Nowhere to Hide Week of Action to be expanded to New Zealand ports as Inspectors stamp out rampant wage theft
The International Transport Workers Federation’s Australian Inspectorate has announced that its Nowhere to Hide campaign will be expanded to capture New Zealand ports in a new cooperative arrangement between maritime workers unions in the South Pacific.
https://www.mua.org.au/news/itf%E2%80%99s-nowhere-hide-week-action-be-expanded-new-zealand-ports-inspectors-stamp-out-rampant-wage