ITF News Update: 11th to 17th June 2021
Shipping apes G7 to spread the word for seafarers | Lloyd’s List – 11th June
A parallel ‘M7’ group of shipowners’ associations also made a show of unity for the industry’s green research and development fund plan, and pushed for more digital documentation
The UK Chamber of Shipping is lobbying more for action on crewing, green shipping and digitalisation during the G7 meeting, saying the industry’s message is not getting through enough
13 Filipino seafarers stranded in China for months seek help | CNN Philippines – 14th June
The Magsaysay Maritime Corporation says they have engaged lawyers to represent the 13 Filipino seafarers who’ve been stranded in China for 17 months now.
Congestion at South China ports worsens on anti-COVID-19 measures | Reuters
Congestion at container shipping ports in southern China is worsening as authorities step up disinfection measures amid a flare-up in COVID-19 cases, causing the biggest backlog since at least 2019.
Ports Refuse Access to Another Ship Carrying Body of Deceased Captain | G Captain – 14th June
Efforts are underway to repatriate the deceased Romanian captain of the cargo ship M/V Vantage Wave after seven weeks and refusal by multiple States to disembark the body. The ship now faces food and water shortages as it awaits orders at an anchorage in China, the group Human Rights at Sea reports.
https://gcaptain.com/ports-refuse-access-to-another-ship-carrying-body-of-deceased-captain/
Fresh Covid-19 outbreaks in Asia disrupt global shipping, chip supply chain | Hellenic Shipping News – 14th June
As Western economies roar back to life, a fresh wave of Covid-19 clusters in Asia—where vaccination campaigns remain in their early stages—is creating new bottlenecks in the global supply chain, threatening to push up prices and weigh on the post-pandemic recovery.
ITF wins freedom for hunger-striking seafarers after two years trapped on the ULA | ITF Seafarers – 16th June
Nineteen seafarers from India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Azerbaijan will be able to see their families again this week after the ITF’s advocacy brought their two-year ordeal to a close. One member of the MV ULA (IMO: 8102414) crew had even been trapped aboard the ship for 31 months.
Covid outbreaks in Chinese ports could cause global goods shortages | The Guardian – 16th June
Combination of rise in demand for products as some countries reopen and lockdowns in some port cities mean prices could climb
Denmark leads Paris MoU performance white list | Lloyd’s List – 16th June
The Paris MoU’s white list of best-performing flags includes Norway and the Marshall Islands, while its black list of worst performers includes Tanzania and Belize
Cameroon, Togo and Comoros feature at the bottom of the black list, ranked as medium-to-high risk, while Albania is categorised as high risk
“Two major problems undermine the IMO’s role as regulator of the shipping industry” | Shipping Watch – 16th June
The IMO’s 2030 plan is drawing fierce criticism from operators and maritime leaders, all agreeing that the deal in no way contributes enough to reduce the level of carbon emissions. The IMO is past its prime as a regulator, says maritime senior executive.
https://shippingwatch.com/regulation/article13062570.ece
Opinion: This is why almost half of cargo ships are sailing around empty | Market Watch – 16th June
How do transport markets interact with markets for world trade in goods? Changes in demand for products as countries unevenly recover and emerge from pandemic lockdowns have led to dramatic increases in the cost of shipping for both commodities and manufactured goods.
ITF points to flag failings in abandoned crew ordeal | Lloyd’s List – 17th June
The International Transport Workers’ Federation union has fought for the release of 19 seafarers abandoned on a Palau-flagged bulker off Iran and then Kuwait since July 2019
The seafarers, mostly from India, went on hunger strike earlier this year because their pleas for owed wages, repatriation, and provisions had been dragging on