ITF News Update
The island ferries making life difficult for disabled people
For some Orcadians, taking a ferry can be more like tackling an assault course. That was certainly my experience as a blind person travelling between the islands. I went to Orkney after being contacted by people with disabilities who found it difficult to make journeys between the islands on the ageing fleet.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7r542dy3xo
The struggle and return of stranded Kenyan seafarers
Four seafarers recount their ordeal after being unpaid and left in the dark for ages. State says they dealt with unlicensed recruiter but eventually brought them home. They left Kenya with high hopes of transforming their lives.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-08-12-the-struggle-and-return-of-stranded-kenyan-seafarers/
TNPA showcases all-women marine crew on Women’s Day
In celebration of Women’s Day, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) showcased an all-women marine crew to lead shipping operations while being shadowed by female pupils at the Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth ports.
Stella Maris chaplain says seafarers face danger
“You are the only people who ask us how we are,” a chief engineer said to me recently,” says Peter Morgan, Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain for Cardiff, Newport, Sharpness, and Bristol. Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) is the maritime agency of the Catholic church.
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50402
Cruise ship too big for Scottish port forced to anchor outside
A139,000-ton cruise ship sailing around Scotland’s Western Isles was forced to anchor outside of the port of Stornoway because it was too big to get inside. MSC Preziosa, which measures the length of seven jumbo jets, visited the town of 6,000 people in the Outer Hebrides on Monday.
UAE bans Eswatini-flagged ships from entering the country
The United Arab Emirates has banned Eswatini-flagged ships from entering the country, having banned Cameroon-registered ships earlier in the year. The Eswatini flag have been involved in the growing, so-called shadow or dark fleets transporting sanctioned oil.
https://splash247.com/uae-bans-eswatini-flagged-ships-from-entering-the-country/
Karachi dockers win fight to save jobs
Pakistan transport unions defend Karachi Dock Labour Board, protecting 2,700 dockers’ jobs – but brace for struggle to continue. Dockers mobilising in Pakistan have saved the Karachi Dock Labour Board (KDLB) – and with it, the jobs, decent wages and conditions it guarantees for 2,700 dock workers in the port city.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/karachi-dockers-win-fight-save-jobs
Fire erupts after explosion onboard container ship at Ningbo
A fire broke out on August 9, 2024, at approximately 1:40 local time, aboard the YM Mobility, operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp, at the Port of Ningbo. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was sparked by an explosion in a container carrying hazardous materials.
https://safety4sea.com/fire-erupts-after-explosion-onboard-container-ship-at-ningbo/
Fishing vessel Three Girls catches fire, crew abandoned ship
Fishing vessel Three Girls caught fire on Sunday, leading six people to abandon ship around 100 miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The 81-foot groundfish trawler had left Boston, Mass. for a fishing trip with four crew members, the captain, and a NOAA Fisheries observer onboard at the time of the accident.
https://www.nationalfisherman.com/fishing-vessel-three-girls-catches-fire-crew-abandoned-ship
Swift action prevents ‘catastrophic event’ as another explosion rocks a box ship
Containership fires are still a heightened source of concern for the industry – the latest incident was reported this week, at Sri Lanka’s port of Colombo. Fire broke out aboard the MSC Capetown III in the early hours of Sunday at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), according to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Op-Ed: Closing the gender equality gap in maritime
In June, industries celebrated International Day of Women in Engineering. This awareness campaign brings to the surface all of the fantastic achievements made by women engineers and women in STEM-related roles. But it also importantly highlights the need for more work to be done in closing the equality gap, which is apparent in almost all sectors.
https://www.marinelog.com/views/op-eds/op-ed-closing-the-gender-equality-gap-in-maritime/
Mainland China returns Taiwanese fishing boat and 4 crew; captain held for investigation
Release of Taiwanese and Indonesian fishermen the latest development in series of combative fishing-related incidents between Beijing and Taipei. Mainland Chinese authorities returned a Taiwanese fishing boat seized in July and released four of its crew but a fifth person remains under investigation in a series of fishery-related disputes that started in February.
Seafarers get misleading perspective on life at sea from social media – MHSS
Although having access to connectivity at sea is widely considered an important part of seafarer wellbeing, there are emerging signs of negative consequences. Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS) has witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of social media on seafarers’ mental health, particularly among Indian seafarers, and it’s time for authorities to take decisive action.
Indian port workers announce nationwide strike
India’s major port workers plan an indefinite strike over unresolved wage, allowance, and pension demands, potentially disrupting nationwide port operations. India’s major port workers are set to launch an indefinite strike starting August 28, following unresolved demands for pay and allowance revisions, including pensionary benefits.
https://www.worldcargonews.com/news/2024/08/indian-port-workers-announce-nationwide-strike/
Coastal Trading Act exemption extended for cruise
INTERNATIONAL cruise operators with ships traveling to and from Australian ports will continue to benefit from an exemption of the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 until 31 December 2026.
https://www.thedcn.com.au/sticky/international-cruises-coastal-trading-act-extended/