ITF News Update
Agreement reached on new global minimum wage for seafarers
Wednesday 16, Geneva – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has concluded the latest round of minimum wage negotiations for able seafarers at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers of the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC), held in Geneva on 14 and 15 April 2025. This critical bipartite dialogue brought together shipowners and seafarers’ unions from around the world, coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Agreement reached on new global minimum wage for seafarers | ITF Global
ITF statement on DP World’s automation push at Melbourne and Brisbane ports
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stands in full support of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in opposing DP World’s proposed automation plan of its terminals at the ports of Melbourne and Brisbane. The MUA has confirmed that these automation plans have been initiated outside the existing Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) process, breaching the commitments made between the company and its workforce.
ITF statement on DP World’s automation push at Melbourne and Brisbane ports | ITF Global
Filipino seafarers in Malaysia released, repatriation readied —DMW
The Department of Migrant Workers said on Friday that the eight Filipino seafarers that were detained in Malaysia over alleged violation of Immigration laws have been released. The eight crew members of MT Krishna 1 were detained in a police station in Kota Tinggi, Malaysia. “Following yesterday’s welfare visit and today’s decision of the Prosecutor’s Office in Johor, the eight Filipino crew members of vessel MT Krishna 1 detained in Kota Tinggi have been released today, 18 April 2025,” the DMW said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
Filipino seafarers in Malaysia released, repatriation readied —DMW | GMA News Online
Death toll from dredger capsizing rises to nine
Philippine Coast Guard has recovered more bodies from the accident site off Rizal. More bodies have been recovered following the capsizing of a dredger off the Philippines, bringing the death toll to nine.
ABS-CBN cited the Philippine Coast Guard as saying two more seafarers remained missing in waters off Rizal in Occidental Mindoro province. The 20,400-dwt Honghai 16 (built 2012) capsized last Tuesday, prompting a search and rescue operation.
Iloilo Seafarer Dies in Vessel Capsizing – Archyde
Indian seafarers abandoned in Indonesia amid surge in maritime neglect cases
Fifteen Indian seafarers stranded aboard the Star Apollo in Indonesia since October 2024 report months of unpaid wages, lack of food, and threats, prompting global concern and ITF intervention amid rising seafarer abandonment cases. A dire case of seafarer abandonment has resurfaced global concerns after 15 Indian crewmembers aboard the offshore support vessel Star Apollo made a desperate social media appeal, highlighting months of unpaid wages and lack of food.
Indian seafarers abandoned in Indonesia amid surge in maritime neglect cases – Cargo Insights
New course aims to empower women leaders in maritime
Women in mid-stage maritime careers are invited to the inaugural “Maritime Women’s Leadership and Empowerment” training course in Malmo, Sweden, from September to October 2025. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International), along with the World Maritime University (WMU), are seeking female maritime leaders and officials to participate in the training course.
New course aims to empower women leaders in maritime – SAFETY4SEA
India commits to compensation for seafarer suicide
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Synergy Maritime Group and India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), convened in Mumbai to address the critical issue of seafarer mental health and secure compensation for suicide at sea. Held on April 7, the event was the first time in India that unions, government officials, shipping companies and seafarers’ families have convened to address mental health, suicide and seafarers’ death compensation.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/india-commits-compensation-seafarer-suicide
Avi Levy
Avi Levy, Chairman of the Israel Sea Officers’ Union (ISOU), was a pillar of Israel’s shipping industry who fought to protect seafarers’ wellbeing and rights throughout his career – and it is with great sadness that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) mourns his passing last week.
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/avi-levy
Workers Injured by Fire Aboard Petrobras Platform Pending Sale to Perenco
Multiple injuries are being reported as fire hit one of the offshore platforms owned by Brazil’s Petrobras which is part of a pending sale to Perenco. The workers’ union was first to report the fire which it says took four hours to control. The incident was later confirmed by Petrobras.
Shortlisted nominees announced for the 2025 Crew Welfare Awards
Awards ceremony will take place during 2025 CWW Virtual Event (24-26 June). SAFETY4SEA is pleased to announce the distinguished shortlisted nominees for this year’s Crew Welfare Awards, following an online nomination process, initiated a few months ahead of the 2025 Crew Welfare Week, a virtual event that will take place 24-26 June.
https://safety4sea.com/shortlisted-nominees-announced-for-the-2025-crew-welfare-awards/
North Sea disaster a wake-up call for role of fatigue in ship safety
Nautilus International secretary general says the major casualty highlights and important issue in a tragic way. The Solong and Stena Immaculate collision in March has been a wake-up call over the role fatigue potentially plays in major maritime incidents, according to a leading champion of seafarers rights. Mark Dickinson seized on the issue when speaking to TradeWinds in the wake of talks at the International Labour Organization HQ in Geneva this month.
MLC amendments – new guidance released
New amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) came into force in December 2024. To keep members up to date on their rights, the Union has produced a new edition of its guidance document on the subject. The Seafarers’ Bill of Rights: A guide to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 now includes the 2022 amendments to the treaty as well as previous rounds of amendments from 2014, 2016 and 2018.
https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/mlc-amendments–new-guidance-released/
Behind closed doors: How seafarers put the squeeze on shipowners in landmark pay deal
Hardball talks see seafarer unions extract concessions from employers and governments. Full-blooded talks saw shipowners agree to stump up more cash as seafarers secured one of their biggest pay deals in recent times earlier this month. A switch in negotiating tactics delivered crew members the much-coveted status of key workers from governments, according to one of the main protagonists.
Iran Seizes Two Ships and Issues Jail Sentences in Fuel Smuggling Crackdown
Iran’s efforts at stopping fuel smuggling are continuing with local media outlets citing additional cases of vessels being seized and crews prosecuted. An Iranian court is reported to have handed down stiff jail sentences in two cases today and hours later the semi-governmental news agency Fars reported two more vessels have been apprehended.
Maritime Workers Union Condemns Inhumane Conditions Aboard Ship & Shore Vessels
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has strongly criticized what it called the appalling living and working conditions endured by seafarers aboard three vessels—MT Bawarza, Battle Axe, and MT Spain—operated by Ship & Shore Services Ltd in Lagos. Following reports received from crew members, the union described the situation as “dehumanizing” and vowed to take decisive action against the company.
Maritime unions support Norway’s move to eliminate gendered terms at sea
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has proposed making language and titles gender neutral, removing ‘mann’ (Norwegian for ‘man’) from terms like ‘mann-over-bord-situasjon’ (‘man over board situation’) and replacing it with ‘person’, the same word in English and Norwegian. The term ‘MOB boat’ is set to remain. The consultation, which closed on 11 March, drew a wide range of replies, mostly supportive, though some expressed concern over choice of terms and losing maritime identity.
Rewriting Women into Maritime History launches international phase
Following successful UK exhibitions, a project to highlight women’s contributions to the maritime workforce is looking for new stories from around the world. Sarah Mott of Lloyd’s Register Foundation reports. Rewriting Women into Maritime History was launched by Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2023, with Nautilus International as one of the project’s partners. The project uses oral histories and archival material held by maritime organisations to piece together maritime women’s stories, showcasing them publicly through the SHE_SEES exhibition.
ETF’s First Response to IMO’s Climate Agreement
Together with our global sister organization, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), we welcome this first-ever legally binding global framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. At the same time, we urge the EU to carefully assess how the IMO framework interacts with the Maritime ETS and FuelEU Maritime, to prevent duplicative or conflicting systems and ensure a level playing field.
https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/04/24/etfs-first-response-to-imos-climate-agreement/
ILO’s 5th MLC Special Tripartite Committee: Key outcomes
The Fifth Meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) took place 7 – 11 April 2025 at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters, Geneva, making significant decisions regarding seafarers’ rights. The Committee proposes and reviews amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. This keeps the Convention up to date with the shipping industry and its practices, ensuring continued protection of seafarers.
https://safety4sea.com/ilos-5th-mlc-special-tripartite-committee-key-outcomes/
INTERCARGO Welcomes ILO Recognition of Seafarers as Key Workers
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) welcomes the recent decision at the International Labour Organization (ILO) to officially recognise seafarers as key workers under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). This long-anticipated outcome represents a significant step in ensuring fair treatment, safeguarding seafarers’ rights, and strengthening their access to medical care, mobility, and legal protections.