ITF News Update
ITF dockers’ and seafarers’ unions meet to forge priorities
4 December 2023, Santiago – The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the democratic, global union federation of over 700 transport unions in 150 countries, representing over 18 million transport workers across the globe, will this week hold its Dockers’ and Seafarers’ Conferences in Santiago, Chile.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-dockers-and-seafarers-unions-meet-forge-priorities
Multiple commercial vessels attacked in Red Sea
RIYADH, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters in the southern Red Sea, the U.S. military said Sunday, as Yemen’s Houthi group claimed drone and missile attacks on two Israeli vessels in the area. The Carney, an American destroyer, responded to distress calls and provided assistance following missile and drone launches from Houthi-controlled territory, according to U.S. Central Command.
Red Sea Attacks on Ships Spark Safety Concerns for Seafarers
LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) – Commercial ships face increasing dangers at sea after armed groups have attacked and seized vessels in waters around the Red Sea and off the coast of Yemen, adding to perils for seafarers, shipping officials said on Wednesday.
https://gcaptain.com/red-sea-attacks-on-ships-spark-safety-concerns-for-seafarers/
New warlike area recommendations agreed by UK and Dutch bodies
UK and Dutch bodies concerned with hazards to seafarers arising due to warlike activity or piracy have issued new provisions for transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Sea of Azov and Black Sea.
Fisheries commission to discuss monitoring of fishing fleet at meeting
Fishing monitoring processes will be discussed from today in Rarotonga when Pacific leaders gather at the annual talks on managing the world’s largest tuna fishery this week. Twenty-six member countries and participating territories of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) have convened in the Cook Islands this week for the 20th session of the Commission.
BMA: Key requirements for Port State Control inspections
The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued Marine Notice providing to maritime organizations instructions for Port State Control (PSC) inspections and highlighting the importance and benefit of maintaining, and improving, the current low rate of PSC detentions.
https://safety4sea.com/bma-key-requirements-for-port-state-control-inspections/
Gender Equity in the Maritime Industry: Challenges Onboard
I began my career in the maritime industry in 2019, entering a sector that has long grappled with gender equity issues. Despite some progress, women choosing maritime careers still face unique obstacles, and my personal journey reflects the broader challenges faced by female professionals at sea.
https://osmthome.com/gender-equity-in-the-maritime-industry-challenges-onboard/
Port of Auckland fined in dock worker death case
Port of Auckland Limited (POAL) was today fined NZD 500,000 (about US $310,000) after pleading guilty to two charges under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The charges were filed by Maritime New Zealand after dock worker Pala’amo Kalati was killed by a falling container on August 30, 2020.
https://www.marinelog.com/news/port-of-auckland-fined-in-dock-worker-death-case/
Why does shipping have a problem trusting seafarers with the internet?
There is a connectivity revolution underway at sea however many shipowners and managers seem to have an issue when it comes to trusting their seafarers when it comes to using the internet. Attending Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global in Manila recently there was a jarring juxtaposition of an audience sat with their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, while at the same time expressing serious concerns of allowing seafarers to do exactly the same thing, in their free time no less, while onboard ship.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/why-does-shipping-have-problem-trusting-seafarers-internet
ISWAN 2023: Bridging gaps and building a better future for seafarers
On 16th November, ISWAN hosted its annual seminar in Helsinki in partnership with the Finnish Seamen’s Service, with the theme: ‘Addressing the maritime recruitment crisis: Seafarer wellbeing in a changing world’.
https://safety4sea.com/iswan-2023-bridging-gaps-and-building-a-better-future-for-seafarers/
Maritime charity column: building maritime grant funding ecosystems, by Temi Binitie, new business development director at The Seafarers’ Charity
Temi Binitie discusses her aspirations as the new business development director for The Seafarers’ Charity. She will be developing and implementing a fundraising strategy to develop new income streams for the maritime welfare charities’ grant funder.
Seafarer’s compensable injury while playing basketball under the ‘personal comfort doctrine’
A seafarer is entitled to total and permanent disability benefits for the injury he suffered while playing basketball on board a ship during his free time. The Supreme Court granted the seafarer’s claims in Arguilles v. Wilhelmsen Smith Bell Manning, Inc (July 10, 2023, G.R. No. 254586) for the “high-grade Achilles tendon tear” in his left ankle using the “Personal Comfort doctrine” and the “Bunkhouse Rule”. The employer denied liability arguing that the injury is not work-related.
ITF delegation supports Chilean seafarers’ defence of cabotage
7 December 2023, Santiago – Delegates from across the world at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) dockers’ and seafarers’ conferences in Santiago, Chile, joined with Chilean trade unionists to hand in a letter to the presidential palace in the capital of Santiago in protest at the government’s plans to change the law on cabotage.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-delegation-supports-chilean-seafarers-defence-cabotage
How EU-registered vessels use flags of convenience to mask illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices in West Africa
Twelve European Union-owned and registered vessels display Cameroon flags. An investigation led by Gideon Sarpong in partnership with the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network sheds light on how European Union (EU) registered vessels utilize flags of convenience to mask their Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices in West Africa.
Filipino seafarers ‘safe,’ says owner of Houthi hijacked ship
The owner of the commercial vessel seized by Yemeni rebel group Houthi in the Red Sea has guaranteed the safety of their crew members including the 17 Filipino seafarers onboard the hijacked ship.
NIMASA, MWUN Parley Over Pay For Sacked NNSL Seafarers
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN have begun discussions on how to resolve the lingering issue of terminal benefits of Seafarers whose appointments were terminated due to the liquidation of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line, NNSL.
https://thesourceng.com/nimasa-mwun-parley-over-pay-for-sacked-nnsl-seafarers/