ITF News Updates
Seafarer abandonments cases surge by 30% in 2025
Over 2,280 seafarers have been abandoned aboard 222 vessels so far this year – with $13.1 million in unpaid wages and a 30% year-on-year increase in cases. New figures released today by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reveal yet another disturbing surge in the abandonment of seafarers worldwide. So far in 2025, at least 2,286 seafarers on 222 vessels have been left stranded, often without pay, food, or medical support.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/seafarer-abandonments-cases-surge-30-2025
Unifor concerned about increase in marine vessel inspection refusals
HALIFAX—Unifor is concerned by reports of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Inspectors being refused access to ships in port in Halifax, Vancouver and in Montreal as part of their routine efforts to ensure minimum working and living conditions for the crew are being met.
RTV Slovenia’s news broadcast on ISU – heavily featuring the ITF, including an interview with John Canias
Broadcaster reports on ITF’s position that ISU is a fake union that lowers seafarers’ pay and safety standard and is in collusion with shipowners.
https://icnk.io/u/Igh31JdQkOUb/ Professional translation – switch on English subs via ‘cc’ button at bottom-left of image
https://icnk.io/u/ZUxoRhROU_C6/ Social media short version – subs baked in
https://www.rtvslo.si/rtv365/arhiv/175144794?s=mmc Original broadcast
Piraeus port workers jailed pending trial on drug smuggling charges
Six workers at the country’s largest port Piraeus, arrested for allegedly participating in a gang smuggling cocaine hidden in shipping containers from Latin America, were jailed pending trial on Friday, legal sources said. The case is the third investigation since 2023 that has led to the arrest of port workers on drug trafficking charges. The suspects, employed by a private company handling cargo operations at Piraeus port, were arrested on Monday.
Piraeus port workers jailed pending trial on drug smuggling charges | eKathimerini.com
Captain & Watch Officer Arrested After Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Crete
A cargo ship sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone ran aground late on July 24 near the northeastern coast of Crete, the largest island in Greece, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the arrest of two officers from the ship. The ship, MN Kostas, is a 5,800 deadweight ton (dwt) general cargo vessel built in 1994. It measures 106 meters in length and 15 meters in width. At the time of the incident, it was transporting a cargo of plaster from the port of Sitia, Crete, and was headed to Chekka, Lebanon.
Captain & Watch Officer Arrested After Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Crete
Inaugural ‘Waves of Influence’ event raises £50,000 to support seafaring families and celebrate women in maritime
The first-ever Waves of Influence event has raised an incredible £50,000 to support families from seafaring backgrounds facing crisis, thanks to the combined efforts of Sailors’ Children’s Society and The Seafarers’ Charity. Held at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall and generously supported by Fishmongers’ Company, Trinity House London, and sponsorship from the UK P&I Club, the event built on a long-standing relationship between two national maritime charities, one that began over 107 years ago when The Seafarers’ Charity awarded its first grant to Sailors’ Children’s Society.
245 ghost ships detected — Russian vessels use Irish waters to evade global sanctions
More than 450 trips by Russian-linked “shadow fleet” vessels have been tracked through Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in just the first seven months of 2025. These vessels, often operating with poor safety standards and no valid insurance, are believed to be helping Russia bypass international sanctions by transporting oil in secret. Their repeated movement through Irish waters is raising growing concerns over environmental safety, national security, and Ireland’s ability to police its critical maritime zone.
https://archive.ph/Zbs6c#selection-1489.0-1489.523
Massive fraudulent flag operation linking over 20 separate fake sites uncovered
A Lloyd’s List investigation has revealed the connections between the rapidly growing number of fraudulent ship registries being used by hundreds of sanctioned ships globally. AT LEAST 21 separate fraudulent ship registries and seafarer certification bodies created in the past year and half can all be linked back to a single source, according to a Lloyd’s List investigation. The recent proliferation of fake ship registers purporting to represent non-existent government entities has accelerated significantly over recent months, fuelled by rapidly growing lists of sanctioned ships seeking ship registers to sustain operations.
Massive fraudulent flag operation linking over 20 separate fake sites uncovered :: Lloyd’s List
Indigenous wharfies and seafarers of the world call for peace at MUA Conference
A world first International First Nations maritime workers conference was held in Sydney last week. Participating in the unapologetically political gathering were First Nations representatives from across Australia, the Pacific and the Americas. Over several days, delegates discussed the challenges facing Indigenous communities across the waterfront, offshore industries, and beyond. The conference passed a number of powerful resolutions that reflect the urgent need for justice, solidarity, and the structural reforms called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
interviews with ‘rescued’ Eternity C seafarers
Yemeni rebel group claim 11 seafarers were rescued in the aftermath of Houthi attack on Greek bulk carrier. The Houthi claim its forces “rescued” 11 missing seafarers from Eternity C after the rebel group attacked the bulker in the Red Sea. Photographs of 10 rescued seafarers list one security guard, four crew members, a third officer, assistant engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and the ship’s cook.
Houthi publish interviews with ‘rescued’ Eternity C seafarers
NATO warns of state-linked cyberattacks on Europe’s civilian ports, exposing critical gaps in maritime defense
Maritime ports, responsible for 80 percent of global trade and serving as critical NATO logistics hubs, are facing a surge in cyberattacks from state-linked actors, according to a new policy brief from the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). The report highlights a sharp rise in threats targeting European and Mediterranean port facilities, with many attacks traced to Russia, Iran, and China.
Philippines confirms nine seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels
For the past three weeks, the families of nine Filipino seafarers have been holding their breath, clinging to every call, every update, and every faint glimmer of hope. Their loved ones, crew members of the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Eternity C, are now hostages of the Houthi rebels, militant forces operating out of Yemen, following a violent attack in the Red Sea on July 7. On July 29, the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the nine Filipinos are alive and in the custody of the Houthis, marking a grim chapter in the escalating maritime conflict that has gripped the Red Sea in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
Philippines confirms nine seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels – Maritime Fairtrade
African flags fly high with the dark fleet
Three African flags – Comoros, Gambia, Sao Tome – stand out in the July edition of Clarksons World Fleet Monitor for their extraordinary growth. Comoros is now the second-largest ship register in Africa, its fleet size growing by 251.3% this year. The average age of the 595 ships flying the Comoros flag is 30.4 years. Gambia’s registered fleet has shot up by 231.5%, while Sao Tome has nearly doubled, up 93.7% this year, according to data from Clarksons Research.
African flags fly high with the dark fleet – Splash247
Breaking barriers and channelling her sea DNA: in conversation with Captain Inger Thorhauge
With roots deeply anchored in the remote Faroe Islands and their Scandinavian traditions, Nautilus member Captain Inger Thorhauge says she probably went to sea because ‘maritime is in my DNA’. Her journey to becoming Cunard’s first female captain and commanding global cruise ships, however, was not a ‘conscious choice’ but part of her personal quest to see the world. Interview by Deborah McPherson.
Breaking barriers and channeling her sea DNA: in conversation with Captain Inger Thorhauge
Exmar invests in AI-powered crew change platform
Maritime tech start-up Tilla has closed a EUR2 million funding round to expand its crewing logistics platform. … Tilla aims to modernise and digitise the crew change process which it estimates costs the industry $12 billion annually and remains a largely manual process. Niklas Weidmann, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tilla, said “Our ambition is to become the global market leader and ultimately optimise every step of every crew change, everywhere in the world. The funding will help us get there.
Exmar invests in AI-powered crew change platform
Greek bulker majors continue to avoid Red Sea as Houthis parade hostages
As the Houthi campaign against commercial shipping claims more victims and another set of hostages, some of the biggest names in dry bulk are firm in their stance on the Red Sea: we won’t put our crew somewhere we wouldn’t sail ourselves. CREW members of the now-sunk bulk carrier Eternity C (IMO:9588249) have featured in the latest Houthi propaganda video, seemingly alive and well, and urging vessel owners not to call at Israeli ports.
Greek bulker majors continue to avoid Red Sea as Houthis parade hostages :: Lloyd’s List
Poor treatment of maritime workers by employers won’t be tolerated anymore, says union
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said it will no longer tolerate employers’ negligence on seafarers. A statement indicated that the President-General of MWUN, Francis Bunu, said this during a routine tour of a facility at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State. The statement was signed by the union’s Head of Media, John Ikemefuna, on Wednesday in Lagos. Mr Bunu said that the tour was to sensitise seafarers employed by the firm to their forthcoming unionisation into MWUN.
Poor treatment of maritime workers by employers won’t be tolerated anymore, says union
Houthis release footage of ETERNITY C captive crew
On 28 July, Yemen’s Houthi rebels released a video showing ten crew members from the Greek-owned ship ETERNITY C, which was attacked by the group I the Red Sea early July. As seen, the ten individuals are among the twelve crew members who were initially reported missing or believed to be held hostage by the Houthis. In the video, the seafarers claim that Houthi forces “saved” them while they were floating in the water and have since provided them with “good shelter” and keeping them safe. Moreover, the video shows the crew being rescued from the sea at night, along with the footage of them currently in Houthi custody.
Houthis release footage of ETERNITY C captive crew – SAFETY4SEA
IMO finalizes guidance on remote surveys
During the recent IMO III Sub-Committee, guidance on remote surveys, ISM audits, and ISPS verifications was finalized, and items related to the Industrial Personnel (IP) Code were added to the harmonized survey guidelines. IMO also considered marine safety investigation reports, identifying parametric rolling, fire safety in self-unloading bulk carriers and inflatable lifejackets for consideration, DNV highlights in a recent update. In addition, the Sub- Committee reviewed lessons learned from accident reports, finalized amendments to the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) and finalized amendments to procedures for Port State Control (PSC).
IMO finalizes guidance on remote surveys – SAFETY4SEA
Maritime sector must do more to close gender and diversity gaps, says expert
Despite the industry’s evolution in many aspects, representation and inclusion still have a long way to go, said Claudia Paschkewitz, Columbia Group’s director of sustainability, diversity, and inclusion.
She referred to the second Women in Maritime survey, co-published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), which offered valuable insight into the gender gap in the sector, showing just 176,820 women in maritime roles as of 2024.
Maritime sector must do more to close gender and diversity gaps, says expert | Cyprus Mail
Greenpeace Calls for MSC to Pay for Sunken Boxship’s Cleanup
Greenpeace India is demanding more action from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in the wake of the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3, the small boxship that went down off Kochi in late May. The operator is engaged in litigation with the state of Kerala, and has so far declined to pay compensation for pollution or interruption in economic activity along the coastline. On May 25, the feeder MSC Elsa 3 was under way from Vizhinjam to Kochi with a cargo of 640 containers on board.
Greenpeace Calls for MSC to Pay for Sunken Boxship’s Cleanup
Chinese players weigh sanctions risks and shadowy rewards
Industry experts at a recent Lloyd’s List Intelligence seminar in Shanghai discussed how the rapidly evolving sanctions regime will impact trade and shipping operations. ATTENDEES at last Friday’s Lloyd’s List Intelligence China Day seminar came seeking clarity on how shifting Western sanctions regimes on energy trade and shipping will reshape their business, and how to respond. Ensuring compliance was the undisputed priority. “We are an international business, and our goal is to stay compliant and profitable for the long term,” said Yuan Chao, a leasing expert from China State Shipbuilding Corp.
Chinese players weigh sanctions risks and shadowy rewards :: Lloyd’s List
Abandonment: how you can help
The ITF is calling on international regulators, port states, and the International Maritime Organization to take urgent action after a surge in abandonment cases this year – and maritime professionals can help tackle the problem too. New figures released in June 2025 by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reveal yet another disturbing increase in the abandonment of seafarers worldwide.
Over 2,280 seafarers have been abandoned aboard 222 vessels in the first half of the year – with US$13.1 million in unpaid wages and a 30% year-on-year increase in cases .
Petrobras rejects sham union , ISU
Slovenian sham union’s sub-standard agreements dismissed by major Brazilian oil company. Notorious sham union, the International Seafarers’ Union (ISU), has been rejected by Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – the Brazilian Petroleum Corporation). The ISU made an unsolicited approach to the multinational corporation in Brazil earlier this year, seeking to sell its fake union agreements for use on the Petrobras fleet of ships. However, Petrobras only accepts International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) or ITF-equivalent agreements in the interests of protecting its seafarers from substandard pay and conditions.
Petrobras rejects sham union, ISU | ITF Global
Caribbean Island of St. Maarten Warns of Flag and Seafarer Document Fraud
The government of the independent nation of Saint Maarten in the Caribbean has become the latest to warn of fraudulent operations promoting its supposed international flag registry and the issuance of seafarer papers. It reports that it has been working with the International Maritime Organization and the Kingdom of the Netherlands to warn of these fraudulent representations and to firmly declare these operations are not authorized or associated with the country.
Caribbean Island of St. Maarten Warns of Flag and Seafarer Document Fraud
Controversy over restriction of foreign CoCs for Indian seafarers
Seafarer unions protest circular from the Indian Directorate General of Shipping limiting recognition of foreign Certificates of Competency. A circular issued by the Indian Directorate General of Shipping -Circular 31 0f 2025-that imposes strict restrictions on Indian seafarers working with foreign certificates of competency (CoCs), is creating quite a storm in the maritime community across India, according to reports by Indian media. “The regulation, now under heavy fire, is being labelled as arbitrary, unjust, and damaging to thousands of Indian seafarers,” said Mumbai-based Maritime News.
Controversy over restriction of foreign certificates for Indian seafarers
Stricter rules for seafarers sought
A PHILIPPINE Senator on Thursday is calling for stricter rules against the deployment of Filipino seafarers in high-risk routes, following the kidnapping of nine Filipino seafarers. In a statement, Senator Rafael T. Tulfo, the Committee Chief of Migrant Workers, said that he is planning to conduct a Senate hearing to review and formulate necessary new policies and regulations for the deployment of Filipino seafarers to high-risk zones.
Stricter rules for seafarers sought – BusinessWorld Online
Maritime education must change to secure the world’s seafaring future
Shipping faces a talent drain and has to come up with ways to attract more young people. Greece remains a global shipping powerhouse, controlling more than 20% of global dwt and most of Europe’s capacity. But what lies behind these impressive numbers is a growing vulnerability that should concern the entire maritime community, namely the decline in young professionals choosing a career at
sea. The shortage of qualified seafarers is not a prediction; it’s already happening.
Maritime education must change to secure the world’s seafaring future.TradeWinds.pdf
The Jones Act Arguably Cuts the U.S. Ship Fleet In Half
The Jones Act is a regulation that requires ships to be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, U.S.-flagged, and U.S.-crewed if they move goods between American ports (cabotage). For over 100 years, the Jones act has thus restricted competition in American shipping. The U.S. only had 92 Jones Act-compliant ships in 2024. However, there were 185 U.S.-flagged ships that year. The other 93 are foreign-built ships that have been flagged in the United States.
The Jones Act Arguably Cuts the U.S. Ship Fleet In Half | RealClearMarkets
Sweeping US sanctions target over 100 ships and entities linked to son of Iranian political adviser
In what it said was its largest action since 2018, the US sanctioned almost 150 vessels, entities and individuals on Wednesday, primarily in connection with a sprawling network controlled by Iranian national Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of a top political adviser to Iran’s supreme leader. THE US blacklisted a sprawling network of nearly 150 vessels, entities and individuals on Wednesday, in what it said was its largest Iran-related action since reimposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic in 2018.