ITF News Update
Flag-state misuse hampering seafarer abandonment cases, warns ITF
Several cases of flag being withdrawn in live abandonment cases, trade body tells IMO. Several flag states are impeding attempts to resolve abandonment cases, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
The issue over flag states was revealed in the latest seafarer abandonment findings supplied by the ITF to the International Maritime Organization.
Seafarer kidnapping and criminalistion top concern for shipping organisations
Rising unjust treatment and detention of seafarers led the agenda at a gathering of the roundtable of international shipping organisations comprising Bimco, Intercargo, Intertanko, and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). …“Throughout 2024 we have witnessed a rise in the number of kidnappings and cases of rogue detention and imprisonment of our seafarers. This is devastating and highly concerning,” the chairpersons stated.
2024: Record year of seafarer abandonment
In 2024, a record number of seafarers found themselves stranded in foreign ports, unpaid and forgotten by the very companies that once depended on them. These seafarers, who powered the global shipping industry and kept supply chains moving, were left to fend for themselves. According to a report of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), abandonment of seafarers by shipowners increased by 87 percent in 2024 compared to figures in 2023.
https://maritimefairtrade.org/2024-record-year-of-seafarer-abandonment/
Seafarers above 65 may not be employed to serve on cargo vessels
The minimum physical abilities should be considered, bearing in mind the different duties of seafarers. CHENNAI: In a first, seafarers above 65 may now not be employable in cargo or passenger vessels registered under Merchant Shipping Act or certified as river-sea vessels or Indian coastal vessels where lifeboats are not mandated as part of life-saving appliances, as per the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
Yes, a tariff war would matter for shipping
Even in its early stages, protectionism will alter trade flows, renew strains on the global supply chain and have a direct impact on marine insurance. Clerc and Habben Jansen are right to warn against an immediate Chicken Licken response. But just because the sky isn’t falling yet doesn’t mean it couldn’t. FREE TO READ
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1152511/Yes-a-tariff-war-would-matter-for-shipping
The major challenges for shipping: The shortage and safety of seafarers
“Shipping companies, especially Greek ones, are constantly investing in expensive, high-tech ships. This is a technology that is evolving at a rapid pace, faster than our smart phones.” And yet, there are no sailors to work on these high-tech ships. This is the biggest challenge facing the shipping industry today. Especially when these ships will have to use alternative fuels, which will have specific characteristics and will require the sailors to have specialized knowledge and training.
GLOBAL: IMO to progress alternative fuel training guidelines for seafarers
nterim training guidance for alternative fuels is being developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) this week, with several delegates highlighting the urgent need for such guidelines to ensure seafarer safety as more ships powered by new fuels and technologies hit the water. …The representative of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) at the IMO, Lydia Ferrad, also hopes that delegates will agree on a way forward this week.
Abandoned unpaid on vessels with no insurance or certificates
Foul and insanitary living conditions, failure to pay seafarers and a lack of attention to safety issues is a continuing and growing problem according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which highlights some of the conditions that seafarers are living under.
Africa, Middle East, Europe record highest abandoned seafarers, vessels
ITF warns of global crisis as abandonments surge by 87 per cent. New data from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has highlighted a disturbing rise in seafarers and vessel abandonment by ship owners, with Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific leading the trend in 2024. According to the ITF report submitted to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), 3,133 seafarers were abandoned by ship owners in 2024, a stark increase from the 1,676 cases recorded in 2023.
The future of PEMEs
PEMEs are an accepted method of Pre-Employment Medical Examination and are meant to safeguard vessel operations and crew welfare. They are widely used by shipowners and operators to evaluate whether potential employees are fit to work in the demanding and often challenging maritime environment.
https://splash247.com/the-future-of-pemes/
Piracy: A persistent threat to seafarers
While the number of global piracy and armed robbery incidents has been relatively stable over the past three years, the large number of incidents in Southeast Asian waters continue to cause concern, as do the perpetrators’ aggressive behaviour towards vessel crews.
https://www.gard.no/insights/piracy-a-persistent-threat-to-seafarers/
ABS Port State Control 2024 Q4 Report
ABS published its latest Quarterly Report on Port State Control (PSC), providing information to owners on deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the fourth quarter of 2024. There were 465 total detained vessels in the fourth quarter per Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and USCG. Of those detained, only 22 vessels were ABS classed vessels.
https://safety4sea.com/abs-port-state-control-2024-q4-report/
Filipino Seafarers ‘not only beneficiaries, but also stewards’ of the new Magna Carta law
The Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) address long-standing issues in the maritime industry, ensuring alignment with international standards like the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
– The law combats unfair labor practices, including ambulance chasing, while guaranteeing fair employment conditions, access to quality maritime education, and clear dispute resolution mechanisms.
https://www.dugout.ph/2025/02/filipino-seafarers-not-only.html
Rising salaries improve seafarer retention rates, says crewing agency
Shortage of ‘competent seafarers’ still a problem. Retaining seafarers has improved moderately over the past year, thanks to salary increases, Danica Crewing Specialists indicate. However, its latest survey of in-house crew managers in shipowning and ship management companies also showed that shortages of competent seafarers is still apparent. The Danish crew agency found that almost 90% of those surveyed had increased salaries in 2024, compared to 58% in 2023.
More Filipino seafarers are being abandoned at sea
A seafarer’s salary in thousands of dollars is attractive to many Filipinos. But it comes with great cost — loneliness, danger, and possible abandonment at sea. In two to three days, this is going to be a dead vessel, Angel Brito remembers thinking. They were floating off the Sharjah coast in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the owner of his cargo ship had gone radio silent for six months. When the vessel dies, there wouldn’t be electricity and potable water. Already they were fishing for their meals.
More Filipino seafarers are being abandoned at sea
Trafficked Indian sailors saved from a ‘dead’ ship in Durban harbour after gruelling ordeal
With no job prospects in rural India, two young men decided to try their luck as sailors. Independently, they both signed up and completed seafarer courses — Dillip Kapoor* at a maritime college in Lucknow, Raj Kumar* in Noida, Delhi. They would meet on an abandoned ship in Durban harbour, left penniless by a crooked owner and his agents and eventually arrested and jailed for the expiry of their visas. They were victims of human trafficking.
Indian sailors saved from a dead ship in Durban harbour
IMO and Saudi Arabia Partner to Tackle Seafarer Shortage
As global trade relies on 1.9 million seafarers, with officers in short supply, the maritime sector faces an urgent need for skilled professionals. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have announced a groundbreaking initiative to address the global seafarer shortage while providing career opportunities for aspiring maritime professionals from developing nations.
Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative goes global
The Lloyd’s Register-backed Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative to uncover and showcase the critical role of women in the maritime sector, past and present has entered a new, international phase. Launched in the UK and Ireland in 2023, the programme uses archival material held by maritime organisations, as well as oral histories to piece together their stories, showcasing them publicly through the SHE_SEES exhibition.
Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative goes global – Splash247
Tanker in Russian Oil Trade Involved in Bunkering Spill off Turkey
An Indian-managed crude oil tanker that has been transporting Russian oil was involved in a bunkering accident today near Istanbul. Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) reports its teams are cleaning the surface waters. The tanker named Jag, was in the Ahirkapi Anchorage near Istanbul when the incident occurred. KEGM did not report how much oil was spilled but reported that it dispatched vessels in response. Two Turkish rescue boats, KEGM-3 and KEGM-4 were at the scene of the spill along with a tugboat and an environmental barge.
Tanker in Russian Oil Trade Involved in Bunkering Spill off Turkey
‘We are not a refuge for sanctions evasion,’ says Panama flag
The Panama Maritime Authority said it has ‘intensified’ its fleet clean-up efforts. The registry has come under fire from US lawmakers, who claim the flag ‘has enabled’ Iran to evade US sanctions. PANAMA’S flag registry has hit back at claims from US politicians that it enables evasion of US sanctions. The country’s Directorate General of Merchant Marine director general, Ramon Franco, said his flag had “maintained a zero-tolerance policy for any attempt to misuse the Panamanian registry”.
‘We are not a refuge for sanctions evasion,’ says Panama flag :: Lloyd’s List
Ukraine’s Black Sea traffic stabilises in 2024 as Danube calls tumble
Repeated attacks by Russian forces on port infrastructure and a period of intense strikes on the Odesa ports has not slowed deepsea port trade. UNDER Ukraine’s supervision seaborne trade out of the country’s operational Black Sea ports stabilised in 2024, with more than 200 cargo-carrying vessels arriving each month, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data. Last year was the first full year of the so-called “temporary” maritime corridor, which was launched by Ukrainian authorities following the collapse of the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative, which ran from August 2022 to July 2023. FREE TO READ
Ukraine’s Black Sea traffic stabilises in 2024 as Danube calls tumble :: Lloyd’s List