ITF News Updates
From coin toss to command: Women seafarers navigate an ocean of barriers
IN the global maritime industry—long steered by tradition, hierarchy, and masculine norms—the presence of women has often been treated as an anomaly. Their stories, rarely reflected in policy briefs or industry forecasts, are marked by quiet perseverance, systemic exclusion, and moments of extraordinary courage. At the recent International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being held in Manila, these stories finally took center stage.
From coin toss to command: Women seafarers navigate an ocean of barriers | Malou Talosig-Bartolome
“Please save us” – plea from abandoned seafarers on sanctioned ship in UAE
Global Peace crew now out of fuel, left in dark, burning wood to cook. Desperate seafarers abandoned on a sanctioned ship in the Persian Gulf are now out of fuel and are burning wood to cook what food they have left – and they have reached out to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) with their plea for help. The 19 seafarers, from India (17), Bangladesh and Ukraine, are aboard the Global Peace (IMO 9555199), anchored in Al Hamriyah, off the coast of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Their message is simple: ” Please save us.”
“Please save us” – plea from abandoned seafarers on sanctioned ship in UAE | ITF Global
US visa crackdown creates turmoil for shipmanagers
Shipmanagers are warning of mounting operational chaos as fresh US visa restrictions begin to bite, Splash has learned. Multiple sources at leading shipmanagement companies confirm growing problems with obtaining valid US visas for crewmembers. The issues stem from a raft of executive orders signed by the current US president, which have shifted the long-established practice of multiple-entry seafarer visas toward single-entry permits. Under the new system, seafarers must be repatriated after their first US port call and replaced until they can obtain another visa.
US visa crackdown creates turmoil for shipmanagers – Splash247
Advanced spoofing hides Russian oil transfers in Gulf of Oman
Manipulation of AIS data is evolving, further complicating efforts to track sanctions-skirting tankers. RUSSIA’S shadow fleet tankers are using sophisticated spoofing methods to disguise ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman to circumvent sanctions and avoid detection by watchful regulators. Analysts at energy intelligence provider Vortexa first spotted the transhipment of Russian oil in this area in February 2024. At the time it was an infrequent occurrence, but this activity is on the rise and becoming more difficult to spot as tankers manipulate their positional data in increasingly sophisticated ways to avoid detection.
Advanced spoofing hides Russian oil transfers in Gulf of Oman :: Lloyd’s List
India Blacklists 86 Foreign Vessels Over Abandonment & Abuse Of Indian Seafarers
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has identified and blacklisted 86 foreign vessels following repeated reports of Indian seafarers being abandoned, imprisoned, or denied wages. Investigations revealed that many of these ships operate without minimum mandatory documents, including valid Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance, and often there is no response from the respective Flag States or Port States when approached.
Manila Declaration charts new course for seafarers’ rights amid rising global risks
In a landmark move poised to shift the global maritime labor landscape, the Philippines on September 2 formally launched the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being, a non-binding but powerful global framework designed to protect the dignity, rights, and safety of the world’s seafarers. The Declaration was unveiled at the conclusion of the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being, a two-day summit hosted at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
https://seafarertimes.com/2018-19/node/9593
Nautilus mourns maritime champion Peter McEwen
Nautilus International has paid tribute to former deputy general secretary Peter McEwen MBE, who died peacefully on Saturday 6 September at the age of 78, surrounded by his family. Mr McEwen had devoted 36 years of his life to championing seafarers’ rights and welfare, transforming how the Union cares for maritime professionals through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to progress.
https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/nautilus-mourns-maritime-champion-peter-mcewen/
Social media reliance, toxic online content pose risk to seafarers, warn experts
Over-reliance on social media and digesting toxic content could end up spilling into real life behavior onboard as users struggle to balance reality and online worlds, industry experts told delegates at the inaugural Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS) global conference. The demands on seafarers’ mental health were brought into clear focus with the staging of the first world conference, held by MHSS, member of the OneCare Group, in Manila, Philippines.
Sanctions forcing underwriters to reconcile opposites, Roberts warns
Rules inhibit maritime trade that marine insurance is designed to facilitate. THE ready resort to sanctions by Western governments increasingly leaves marine insurers facing the contradictory imperatives of both facilitating trade and restraining it, one of the sector’s top annual events has been told. The comments from Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at the Lloyd’s Market Association, were delivered to the International Union of Marine Insurance conference in Singapore this afternoon.
Meeting between the Panama Maritime Authority and the ITF promotes International Maritime Agenda
A delegation from the International Transport Workers’ Federation met with officials from the Panama Maritime Authority to exchange information and discuss issues of mutual interest to both entities.
The meeting took place within the framework of the International Trade Union Meeting organized by the ITF, an event that brought together members of the federation’s Executive Committee from around the world in Panama City. The delegation, led by ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton, was received by the PMA Secretary General Volney Guinard and Felipe Arias, who heads the General Directorate of Seafarers (DGGM).
Only 1% Women At Sea, Yet 25% Face Sexual Assault: Marine Insurers Urged To Act
Marine insurers have been urged to take action against sexual misconduct at sea, delegates at the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) annual conference in Singapore said. The call was made during the Legal & Liability Workshop, led by Charles Fernandez, Chair of the IUMI Legal & Liability Committee, who emphasised the industry’s responsibility to address this serious issue. According to the workshop, women make up only 1% of the global seafaring workforce. Despite their small numbers, around 25% of women in maritime report experiencing physical or sexual assault while at sea.
Only 1% Women At Sea, Yet 25% Face Sexual Assault: Marine Insurers Urged To Act
TUC Congress backs Nautilus enhancements to Employment Rights Bill
British trade unions have put their full weight behind the Nautilus campaign to enhance protections for seafarers in the UK government’s Employment Rights Bill. The vote of support came from delegates at the TUC Congress in Brighton – the prestigious annual gathering of unions to set joint policy and campaign priorities. The Nautilus motion on the Employment Rights Bill was put forward in conjunction with the RMT union. It was then addressed at Congress as a ‘composite’, meaning it was combined with motions from other unions on the same topic.
TUC Congress backs Nautilus enhancements to Employment Rights Bill
COLUMN | Shore leave for crews: is it really too easy to say “no”? [Grey Power]
Scarcely a week goes by without some concerned report about the mental health of seafarers, the incidence of suicide in this global workforce and what can be done about this miserable problem. If it is a slight comfort, identically gloomy surveys reveal much the same about shore side workers, with Gen Z folk so anxious that many would rather stay unemployed and remain safely in their bedrooms. However, sensible people in our maritime world are asking genuine and difficult questions about sea life with the Seafarers’ Happiness Index acting as a useful barometer of what people at the coalface are thinking.
Shore leave for crews: is it really too easy to say “no”?
New report reveals UK seafaring community could nearly halve by 2040
From more than half a million today, the UK’s seafaring community (defined as active seafarers, former seafarers, and dependent children) is predicted to decline to 300,000 by 2040, a new report by the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) has revealed. According to the “Seafarers2040: Understanding UK Demographics and Welfare Needs” report, from more than half a million today, UK seafarer community numbers by 2040 are projected to be just 300,000 (a fall of more than 40%). In an extreme scenario this figure could reach as low as 131,000 – a 75% decrease.
New report reveals UK seafaring community could nearly halve by 2040 – SAFETY4SEA
U.S. Using Advanced Technology to Search Crew Members’ Phones for Illegal Content
The Norwegian Seafarers Union has issued a warning to crew after reports of seafarers being deported from the United States and losing their C1/D visas. The union said that U.S. authorities are using advanced technology to scan seafarers’ phones, devices, and online activity for illegal digital content, including child sexual abuse material. According to the update, several crew members have already been detained on arrival, refused entry, and banned from the U.S.
U.S. Using Advanced Technology to Search Crew Members’ Phones for Illegal Content | Crew Center
Changing the Narrative: Suicide prevention as a maritime imperative
Each year on 10 September, the international community observes World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). The triennial theme for 2024–2026, “Changing the Narrative”, calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to break down stigma, foster open dialogue, and treat suicide prevention as an urgent priority. Established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), the initiative draws attention to suicide as a major public health challenge. Globally, the figures remain stark.
Changing the Narrative: Suicide prevention as a maritime imperative – SAFETY4SEA
Kidnap of fishermen in Cameroonian waters triggers seafood shortages, price hike in Calabar
The shortages of fish, crayfish and other seafood in many Calabar markets, and their resultant high costs, have been linked to last week’s reported kidnap of seven fishermen and seafarers. The fishermen, some of them Nigerians, were reportedly kidnapped in Cameroonian waters near Bakassi. As a result of the abduction, seafood supplies have dwindled, leading to increased demand and soaring prices. …”Fish traders have told us that some fishermen were kidnapped last week, which is the reason there is a shortage of supply in the local markets.”
Dramatic footage shows 67 cargo cases toppling off ship into California port
Shipping containers tumble overboard off the Mississippi vessel in Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest ports in US. Dramatic footage has captured the moment that more than 60 containers toppled off a cargo ship on Tuesday morning in the Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest ports in the US. The shipping containers fell off a vessel named the Mississippi shortly before 9am at the port, located about 20 miles (32km) south of Los Angeles. Video on social media showed a huge stack of containers tumbling overboard and into the waters below.
Nigeria loses $23b to untapped blue economy potential, smuggling yearly’
Weak implementation of policies, poor enforcement of maritime laws, underutilisation of related industries like steel, and revenue leakages have continued to cost Nigeria the $20 billion yearly projected revenue generation from the blue economy sector. This was disclosed yesterday in the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) Policy Brief for National Economic Renewal titled: “Blue Economy, Broken Promises: Where Are Nigeria’s Maritime Billions?”
Nigeria loses $23b to untapped blue economy potential, smuggling yearly’
Powering Ahead, Career and Women in Maritime Industry: Q&A with Melissa Blake
There is no doubt that the industry is still male-dominated, and there is more we can do to provide increased opportunities for women, including greater investment in training and networking opportunities and stronger recruitment and retention pathways for women. The maritime industry has made progress in recent years, but more needs to be done to create an environment where women feel represented – particularly in operational, technical, and leadership roles. Creating opportunities for women to grow into leadership positions across these workstreams is critical.
Powering Ahead, Career and Women in Maritime Industry: Q&A w
“Reinventing the seafaring career” A Q&A with Seaman Solution’s CEO Selena Jones
Seaman Solutions, founded by ex-flag-state insider Selena Jones, is reinventing crew compliance with a digital platform. It streamlines certification, training, and AI-powered validation while giving seafarers a secure career wallet and real-time control of their documents. Founded by former Panama flag-state insider Selena Jones, Seaman Solutions is a digital platform that simplifies crew compliance and helps mariners own their careers.
“We’re reinventing the seafaring career”: An extended Q&A wi
Mozambique joins rapidly growing fake flag roster for sanctioned tonnage
The IMO’s database features 432 fraudulently registered ships but the real figure is growing more quickly than the regulator’s attempts to document the problem. MOZAMBIQUE has become the latest fraudulent ship register of choice for sanctioned tankers as flag hopping between fake flags continues to accelerate and grow in volume. At least six sanctioned tankers have signalled a flag change to Mozambique over the past few weeks, with five of them moving from other fraudulent flag operations.
Mozambique joins rapidly growing fake flag roster for sanctioned tonnage :: Lloyd’s List
Remember the hidden heroes of the sea who bring us 90% of everything
Seafarers and fishers live and work at the periphery of society, spending days or months at sea. Their lives are hidden and yet they play a crucial role in bringing us so much of the food, fuel and goods we consume. From clothing to digital devices, to bananas and tea, almost 90% of goods are transported on cargo ships crewed by thousands of seafarers from all over the world. Seafarers and fishers make enormous sacrifices just to bring us the basic things in life that we enjoy. Their work is tough, and the shifts can be gruelling – six hours on, six hours off, day after day.
Remember the hidden heroes of the sea who bring us 90% of everything – Diocese of Westminster
Greece and Cyprus push for more women in maritime sector roles
Greek women far ahead of European average in maritime jobs. Greece’s maritime employees’ pension fund, (NAT) presented its first study on ‘International good practices for the promotion of women’s maritime employment’ last week during the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair, at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security’s pavilion. The report mentioned by Newmoney, edited by Gabriel Amitsis, Professor of Social Security Law at the University of West Attica, builds on NAT’s established Annual Report on Maritime Employment, now in its third edition and already considered a key reference point for the sector.
Greece and Cyprus push for more women in maritime sector roles | Cyprus Mail
US sanctions target Houthi maritime network
A fresh round of US sanctions targeting Yemen’s Houthis has gone after the maritime networks behind the Iran-backed militant group, including tankers involved in transfer of oil to a UN-purchased tanker. THE US Treasury has unveiled its largest sanctions action to date targeting the Iran-backed Houthi network in Yemen, designating networks of front companies and illicit shipping facilitators outside of Yemen used to manage their maritime operations.