ITF News Update

ITF slams Argentina’s Milei decree that guts the merchant marine and strips workers’ rights

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) condemns Argentine President Javier Milei’s new “Exceptional Regime for the National Merchant Marine” as a reckless act of deregulation that jeopardises national sovereignty and crushes fundamental labour rights. The decree reclassifies maritime and inland navigation as an “essential service,” severely curbing maritime worker’ right to strike in blatant breach of Argentina’s Constitution and ILO Convention 87.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itf-slams-argentinas-milei-decree-guts-merchant-marine-and-strips-workers-rights

 

India state on alert after ship carrying hazardous cargo capsizes

Authorities in India’s southern Kerala state have issued an alert after a ship carrying oil and hazardous cargo leaked and sank off the state’s coast in the Arabian Sea. The spill occurred in a Liberian-flagged vessel that capsized near Kochi city on Sunday. The coastal stretch is rich in biodiversity and is also an important tourist destination. All 24 crew members on board the ship have been rescued but some of the ship’s 640 containers have reportedly been drifting, external towards the shore, prompting evacuations in the area.

Kerala: India state on alert after ship carrying hazardous cargo capsizes – BBC News

 

Unite calls for comprehensive inquiry into death of seafarer

Unite is calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the death of a seafarer on board a bunker barge yesterday. The Filipino crew member died after an incident with machinery as the Gibraltar- flagged MT Nisyros barge was manoeuvring to berth alongside another ship. Unite says it’s deeply saddened at this tragic workplace accident. The union says it’s a stark reminder of the dangers faced by workers at sea, and the critical importance of robust health and safety measures in the maritime industry.

Unite calls for comprehensive inquiry into death of seafarer

 

ITF inspector Helen Meldrum

Helen Meldrum, who recently began work as inspector for the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) with responsibility for Scotland, talks to Rob Coston about her early experiences helping seafarers get the money they are owed and helping with a serious case of abandonment. ROB COSTON (RC): What area of the world do you cover and what do you do in the role? HELEN MELDRUM (HM): I’m the Scottish ITF inspector. It’s a really large area – a lot of people don’t realise how big Scotland is until they’ve got to drive around it for a living!

ITF inspector Helen Meldrum

 

Seafarers’ International Union / News / ITF Exposes ‘Sham Union Endangering Seafarers Everywhere’

From the International Transport Workers’ Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated. SIU President David Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, is quoted in the news release. Shipping companies, financiers and governments across the world urged to cut ties with sham union, ISU-Lanibra. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is sounding the alarm on a growing threat to the rights and welfare of seafarers worldwide.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itf-exposes-sham-union-endangering-seafarers-everywhere

 

Change is vital to overcome barriers for women in maritime

The International Day for Women in Maritime was celebrated at IMO headquarters in London with a symposium on 16 May under the theme “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women” where industry leaders acknowledged the imbalance of women in maritime and called for increased awareness and inclusivity to effect change. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez opened the event, highlighting the need to continue to push for diversity in maritime and to match commitments with action.

Change is vital to overcome barriers for women in maritime – SAFETY4SEA

 

World’s biggest ship registry cracks down on shadow tanker oil transfer operations

Panama registry wants to shut the door on ‘illicit activities’. The world’s biggest ship registry is attempting to quash ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Russian oil. The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) is tightening oversight of these shadow fleet tanker operations with new regulations. The PMA said this is a move aligned with the standards of the International Maritime Organization. The objective is “to shut the door on the so-called shadow fleet” and reinforce the country’s standing as a responsible flag state.

https://archive.ph/FCSXt#selection-1239.0-1243.131

 

Seafarer abandonment rising problem in small registries

THE rapid growth of seafarer abandonment cases over the past 18 months is increasingly concentrated in vessels registered to a group of smaller flags with poor safety records, according to analysis of Lloyd’s List Intelligence data. Smaller flags have grown at an explosive pace in recent years, raising concerns from industry experts and the US government over their ability to effectively oversee the organisations that conduct surveys on their behalf and ensure the safe operation of their fleets.

Seafarer abandonment rising problem in small registries :: Lloyd’s List

 

ITF: Seafarer abandonment in 2025 poised to shatter 2024 record

New figures released by the ITF reveal that vessel abandonments have surged nearly 33% year on year. By May this year, 158 cases of vessel abandonment had been recorded, up from 119 at the same point in 2024. These cases represent more than 1,501 seafarers who have reached out to the ITF for assistance, many of whom were left unpaid, without food, water or access to ports, often for months at a time.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itf-seafarer-abandonment-2025-poised-shatter-2024-record

 

Robbers tie up and injure seafarers in cargo ship raid

Armed gang looted the Shejyoti for two to three hours while crew was captive. An armed gang tied up crew members before looting a cargo ship in Bangladesh. Jago News 24 said the raid involved 14 men boarding the 5,400-dwt Shejyoti (built 2001) at the port of Mongla on Sunday. The pirates were free to steal goods worth BDT 500,000 ($4,100) over the course of two hours.

https://archive.ph/vPkpg

 

Ship sinking sparks helicopter search to save seafarers adrift at sea

Water ingress blamed for loss of the Cong Thanh 07 on Sunday. All 10 seafarers have survived the loss of their general cargo ship after it took on water off Vietnam. The crew members had drifted many miles at sea over several hours before they were found. The Nhan Dan website said the Vietnam-flagged 3,100-dwt Cong Thanh 07 (built 2009) was north-east of Son Duong port on Sunday when it developed a list due to water ingress.

https://archive.ph/khWc1#selection-1239.0-1239.172

 

Seafarer’s death in Columbia River reveals murky maritime oversight

Advocates ask for additional investigation and accountability after AJ Meraña, a Filipino worker on a bulk cargo ship, drowned last September. A group of mourners who never knew Filipino seafarer AJ Kent N. Meraña recently gathered in a hushed vigil over flickering candles to commemorate the 30th birthday he never got to celebrate.

https://www.cascadepbs.org/investigations/2025/05/seafarers-death-columbia-river-reveals-murky-maritime-oversight

 

Fake seafarer document scam probe launched in Netherlands

Officials detect 2025 applications for papers using forged company logos. The Netherlands has launched a criminal investigation into fraudulent applications for seafarers’ papers.

The investigative wing of the transport inspectorate said it was possible that fraudulent seaman’s books were already in circulation.

https://archive.ph/5sSMy

 

Study: Seafarers Report Fatigue, Anxiety and Lack of Access to Medical Care

Work-related fatigue among seafarers has increased, despite efforts to monitor work and rest regulations on ships reports a new study by Cardiff University. According to the researchers, seafarers working both on cargo and cruise ships highlighted issues related to health and welfare that should be improved. The analysis, from the Seafarers International Research Centre, was based on anonymous questionnaires and interviews with 1,240 cargo ship workers and 1,202 cruise sector crewmembers.

https://maritime-executive.com/article/study-seafarers-report-fatigue-anxiety-and-lack-of-access-to-medical-care

 

Oldendorff Celebrates Milestone: 125 Women Sailing Onboard

Oldendorff Carriers (Oldendorff) is proud to share a significant milestone in our diversity efforts. Following years of sustained investment in inclusion initiatives, nearly 125 female seafarers from 17 nationalities now serve onboard our vessels across 13 ranks. The number continues to grow and is expected to reach 150 by next year.

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/oldendorff-celebrates-milestone-125-women-sailing-onboard/

 

Our people are our greatest asset

During the 2025 SAFETY4SEA Manila Forum, Marlon R. Roño, President, Magsaysay People Resources Corporation & Executive Chairman, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, gave insight on the future of the crew management industry in the Philippines which now stands at pivotal crossroads. With a rich maritime heritage and a young population, the Philippines remains a key contributor to the global maritime workforce. However, to maintain and strengthen this position, it is essential to address systemic challenges as well as embrace innovation and enhance the welfare and development of its seafarers.

https://safety4sea.com/our-people-are-our-greatest-asset/

 

International Bargaining Forum agrees 2026-2027 pay rise for seafarers

The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which is comprised of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) representing seafarers and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) representing ship managers and owners, has agreed a pay increase for hundreds of thousands of seafarers around the world. The IBF is the forum at which negotiations are held for the world’s only global collective bargaining agreement, which applies to more than 250,000 seafarers who work on flag of convenience vessels covered by an ITF-IBF collective bargaining agreement.

https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/international-bargaining-forum-agrees-2026-2027-pay-rise-for-seafarers/