ITF News Update
Worldwide Inspectors unite in Cyprus to defend Seafarers’ rights
More than 130 ITF inspectors from across the globe have come together in Limassol, Cyprus, for the ITF’s Worldwide Inspectors Seminar (22–25 September 2025) this week.
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/worldwide-inspectors-unite-cyprus-defend-seafarers-rights
Young Dockers and Seafarers unite in Cyprus to build skills and solidarity
Last week, young dockers and seafarers from across the globe came together in Cyprus for the ITF Maritime Roundtable – a space for young maritime trade unionists to learn, share and grow as leaders in our movement.
Dutch court rules that ‘preliminary questions’ on ‘Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause’ to be put to EU Court of Justice
Today, the Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that preliminary questions will be brought before the European Union (EU) Court of Justice on the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC). The EU Court of Justice will be requested to shed light on whether the NSWC forms a breach on the freedom of free competition and, if so, whether the NSWC is justified considering the fundamental freedom of collective bargaining. As a result, at this moment, the initial positive ruling of the Rotterdam Court confirming the validity of the NSWC still stands.
105 States with Cabotage
This is just one of the findings in the second edition of Cabotage Laws of the World, published by SRI and co-authored by Deirdre Fitzpatrick CEO of SRI and Emeritus Professor Hilton Staniland. The authors found that cabotage has spread in several regions of the world, including West Africa, East Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, Central America, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; and that cabotage now exists along the coastlines of approximately 85% of the world and extends into more offshore zones.
https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/105-states-with-cabotage
12 Filipino seafarers safe after Houthi attack on Dutch cargo ship: DMW
Yemenis brandish weapons and chant slogans during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians and in condemnation of Israel and the US, in the Houthi-run capital Sanaa on July 25, 2025. Mohammed Huwais, AFP. MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday that all 12 Filipino crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht were safe after an attack by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. Minervagracht was hit by a projectile that sparked a fire on Monday. While the ship’s 12 Filipino crew members are “safe”, two of them “remain under medical care—one with minor injuries and another with serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
ETF: 74% of women transport workers experience violence or harassment
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) has released the first results of its new survey on violence and harassment against women in the transport sector. The findings reveal an alarming reality: nearly three out of four women transport workers (74%) reported having experienced violence or harassment in their current workplace. The survey, conducted between May and September 2025 in 12 languages, gathered responses from 1,071 women across multiple transport sectors – including rail, aviation, urban public transport, road, maritime, logistics, inland waterways, fisheries, and dock work.
https://safety4sea.com/etf-74-of-women-transport-workers-experience-violence-or-harassment/
Capturing the heart of the sea: Life at Sea 2025 photo competition winners announced
Indian seafarer Parwaz Mukadam has won first place in the Life at Sea 2025 Photography Competition with his dramatic image When Nature Takes Command. The photo, showing a waterspout forming ahead of a ship, captivated judges with its raw power and symbolism – highlighting the vulnerability of seafarers in the face of nature’s might. Run annually by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, photo competition winners were unveiled on World Maritime Day 25 September 2025.
Suspicious Shadow Tanker is Again Being Investigated, This Time by France
A suspicious shadow tanker that has already been investigated at least once this year is again being detained for further investigation. The French authorities confirmed to Reuters that the suspicious vessel now identifying as the Boracay (115,577 dwt), is anchored off Saint-Nazaire while prosecutors review the details. The French authorities have not said what specific violations the vessel is being accused of, or what prompted the detention. Reuters reports the crew failed to provide proof of the vessel’s nationality and “failed to comply with orders.”
Charting the course to 2027
What it takes to adopt and implement the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. THE recent EU-US trade deal, committing the European Union to purchase $750bn in US energy products through 2028, raises a fundamental question: how serious are global actors about their decarbonisation pledges? Taking a step back, at the beginning of April 2025, the International Maritime Organization hosted a decisive round of negotiations in London on measures to decarbonise the shipping sector by 2050. Despite the difficult geopolitical climate, with rising tensions and the retreat of the US from multilateral fora, delegates achieved a meaningful breakthrough.
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1154973/Charting-the-course-to-2027
‘He lost his hope’: video campaign launched for seafarer jailed in Turkey
The wife of jailed seafarer Ali Albokhari has stepped up her fight for justice as the Syrian-born, Finnish chief officer continues to serve a 30-year prison sentence in Turkey. Albokhari was convicted in September 2024 on drug charges linked to the 2023 arrest of the bulk carrier Phoenician M in the port of Eregli. Turkish police claimed they discovered 137 kg of cocaine hidden in the vessel’s aft peak tank, despite Colombian authorities already having seized the drugs before the ship sailed from Barranquilla. While the ship’s Croatian master, Marko Bekavac, and the rest of the crew have since been released, Albokhari remains behind bars.
https://splash247.com/he-lost-his-hope-video-campaign-launched-for-seafarer-jailed-in-turkey/
‘We only have the sea to live on’ – Senegal’s fishermen blame BP project for lack of fish
Every day, Gora Fall, a fisherman in Senegal’s northern city of Saint-Louis, heads to sea with a mix of emotions: hope and frustration. He hopes he will get a better catch than the previous day, yet he is frustrated by the thought that whatever he finds might not meet his needs. “Before, we worked to live, but now we just work to survive,” says the 25-year-old. Like him, many other small-scale, traditional fishermen in Saint-Louis – a major fishing hub – are facing hard times. The BBC has spoken to several fishermen and people linked to the fishing trade who all point to one cause – a liquefied natural gas platform that sits on the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, off the coast of Saint-Louis.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly9gg3vervo
Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying aid in international waters. Can it do that?
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of activists raises questions about what any nation can legally do to enforce a blockade in international waters. As dozens of boats sailed closer to Gaza on Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli navy warned them to turn back. Then Israeli military personnel stormed the vessels and seized activists, including Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson and several European lawmakers. “You are entering an active war zone. If you continue and attempt to break the naval blockade, we will stop your vessel,” a member of the Israeli navy told the activists via radio.
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-flotilla-international-maritime-law-7c0b4c31e46e17119accb62d7b6933f3
Addressing crew shortage: Ensure appropriate equipment and facilities for all
Providing all seafarers with access to proper equipment and facilities is vital for their safety, well-being, and job performance, highlights the Global Maritime Forum’s (GMF) All Aboard Alliance. This is the third of the nine ‘Sustainable Crewing Guidelines’ introduced by the organization in March 2025. These guidelines, developed after years of research and real-world trials involving over 400 seafarers, provide a clear benchmark for best practices onboard vessels. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
A fundamental safety requirement for all seafarers. But… most PPE is designed for the average male body.
Dreadnought update: progress for Union on recovering disrupted seafarer medical service
Nautilus International’s longstanding campaign to protect the Dreadnought seafarer health service has led to progress at the highest levels of government, with a commitment now in place to resolve access issues affecting members in Scotland and Northern Ireland — and to improve service delivery in England and Wales. The Dreadnought Medical Service unit, delivered via Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, offers specialist medical treatment for seafarers. The service exists to ensure they receive timely care, enabling them to return to work swiftly and maintain the medical certification required for sea service.
10 Filipino seafarers repatriated after vessel attack in Gulf of Aden
MANILA, Philippines — Ten Filipino seafarers were safely repatriated on Saturday following a missile attack by Houthi rebels on Netherlands-flagged MV Minervagracht while in the Gulf of Aden, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Sunday. The DMW said that the seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday and were welcomed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and other DMW officials.
Confusion as Kenyan seafarers denied passes due to lack of NEA certificates
Several Kenyan seafarers bound for overseas jobs were denied boarding passes at Moi International Airport, exposing confusion in the labour market regulatory bodies. A first-time recruit heading to a seaport within the Mediterranean Sea said they were denied passes because they lacked National Employment Authority (NEA) certificates. “Officers manning a desk at the airport’s departure lounge refused to allow me access, saying I must get a certificate from NEA. It was never a requirement,” said the recruit.
Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker allowed to leave French port after detention
An oil tanker detained by the French authorities over suspected links to Russia’s “shadow fleet” last week has set sail from the port of Brest and is now on its way to the Suez Canal, France24 reported on Friday. France24 said that the captain of the ship, the Boracay, who had been expected to face charges for failure to cooperate with the authorities, had been allowed to return to the ship. The ship resumed its journey Thursday evening and was off the coast of western France on Friday morning, data from vessel tracking websites Marine Traffic and VesselFinder showed. The captain is due to go on trial in February, The Guardian reported.
Does Shipping Really Carry 90% of Everything?
Ships carry 90% of international trade by weight, but researchers point out that most of the global economy’s material movements happen on land. Next week, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is expected to vote on its long-discussed Net-Zero Framework on greenhouse gas emissions. If approved by a two-thirds majority of IMO member states, the framework will create a roadmap for maritime decarbonization. In fact, the regulations will set precedent globally, being the first to combine mandatory emissions limits and a GHG pricing mechanism across an entire industry sector.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/does-shipping-really-carry-90-of-everything
IMO lays groundwork for well-prepared energy transition for seafarers
The International Maritime Organization is stepping up efforts to prepare seafarers for shipping’s energy transition, in line with its strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The organisation has issued ‘Generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies’. These set out an international framework for the development and approval of training of seafarers serving on all ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.
Finnish court throws out Eagle S cable-cutting case
The court determined the matter was for the vessel’s flag state, rather than Finnish law. Damage caused by the tanker did not meet the threshold to apply Finnish law, as the incident occurred in international waters. CHARGES against a master and two other crew members of now-sanctioned tanker Eagle S (IMO: 9329760) have been dismissed by the Helsinki District Court.
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1155011/Finnish-court-throws-out-Eagle-S-cable-cutting-case
Seafarer dies from injuries after Houthi missile attack
Fatally injured Filipino is the latest victim of the Yemen rebel group’s campaign. A Filipino seafarer has died of his injuries sustained during a Houthi missile attack on a Dutch cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden last month, said owner Spliethoff. The seafarer died in hospital a week after the attack on the 12,200-dwt Minervagracht (built 2011) on 29 September. The crew member’s death brings the total number of seafarers killed in Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to at least nine.
Seafarer dies from injuries after Houthi missile attack
Denmark tightens controls on oil tankers to counter Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’
Denmark is tightening controls on oil tankers passing through its waters amid European efforts to curb Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” the Danish government announced on Oct. 6. The move follows intelligence reports cited by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sept. 28 that Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers is being used to “launch and control” drones over European cities. Copenhagen said the new measures will focus on older vessels, which are frequently used by the “shadow fleet” and pose environmental and safety risks due to poor maintenance.
Denmark tightens controls on oil tankers to counter Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’
Norway to establish world’s first national maritime AI research centre
The Norwegian Maritime AI Centre will be granted status as a national research centre for applied artificial intelligence in the maritime sector. It is described by its proponents as the first of its kind worldwide. The centre, which will be led by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), will receive a total of NOK100 million ($9.4 million) over five years, starting in 2025. The new centre will work to develop technology and increase innovation for maritime actors through the increased use of artificial intelligence, according to a statement from Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
Norway to establish world’s first national maritime AI research centre
Qatar Orders Ships to Halt Navigation in its Waters Due to GPS “Fault”
On Saturday, Qatari authorities took the extraordinary step of ordering all shipping interests to stop navigating because of “a technical fault in the GPS,” officially bringing the country’s maritime commerce to a halt. The ministry said that the order would remain in effect indefinitely until the issue is resolved. The nature of the fault was not disclosed, but GPS interference is a routine issue in the Arabian Gulf, particularly at times of heightened tensions between Iran and its geopolitical opponents.
Qatar Orders Ships to Halt Navigation in its Waters Due to GPS “Fault”
New Warning of Numerous Reports of Global Navigation and AIS Interference
UK Maritime Trade Operations issued a new advisory after receiving an increased number of reports of interference that is impacting the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as data on AIS displays. It comes as Qatar continues to work to repair a “technical fault in GPS,” which it first reported over the weekend. According to the latest updates, there has been a significant increase in the number of reports that started on October 3 and have continued through today, October 7. UKMTO said the reports are concentrated in the areas around Bandar-e-Pars (Iran), the Strait of Hormuz, and Port Sudan. It warns that the incidents have increased compared to last week, advising ships to use increased caution.
Filipino seafarers’ right to refuse dangerous voyage was ignored —DMW
The Filipino seafarer who died aboard the Dutch-flagged general cargo ship MV Minervagracht and his compatriots were not given the chance to exercise their “right to refuse to sail” or even to be consulted before the vessel passed through one of the world’s most dangerous maritime zones, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. The DMW on Wednesday confirmed the death of a Filipino crewmember of the Minervagracht, a day after it was announced by the vessel’s operator.
Filipino seafarers’ right to refuse dangerous voyage was ignored —DMW | GMA News Online
IMO Secretary-General Condemns Attacks on Seafarers
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a seafarer who succumbed to injuries sustained in the 29 September 2025 attack on the MV Minervagracht by Houthi forces in the Gulf of Aden. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a crew member of the MV Minervagracht, as a result of injuries sustained during an attack on the vessel in the Gulf of Aden,” Dominguez said.
Innovation, regulation and finance define final day of Maritime Cyprus 2025
The Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference entered its third and final day on Wednesday, concluding three days of dynamic discussion under the central theme “Unlocking the Future of Shipping.” Building on the momentum of previous sessions, the final day focused on the future of maritime safety, the transition toward climate resilience, and the technologies and partnerships that will shape the next decade of global shipping. The day opened with an address by European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, who outlined the European Union’s commitment to supporting shipping’s green and digital transitions.
Innovation, regulation and finance define final day of Maritime Cyprus 2025 | Cyprus Mail
Ports stop polluting ships from idling by installing ‘shore power’
New report finds Canada lags U.S., Europe, China in implementing ‘shore power’. There is a solution: Plugging the ship into the local grid through a connection known as shore power, so it doesn’t have to keep burning fuel to power the ship while docked. Here’s a closer look at this technology, its potential impacts and what that means for the recently fast-tracked port expansion in Montreal and proposed expansion in Churchill, Man.
Ports stop polluting ships from idling by installing ‘shore power’ | CBC News
BIMCO Calculates a Third of Ships Could Have to Pay Fees Under USTR Program
The U.S. Trade Representative’s port fee program is due to go into effect in less than a week, and with no more guidance having been issued, speculation remains rampant on the full impact of the program. The industry trade group BIMCO issued its analysis, pointing to the greatest impact on bulkers and segments of the tanker market, which it expects will leave the U.S. trade, but overall, it expects that freight rates should not increase for U.S. importers and exporters at this juncture.
BIMCO Calculates a Third of Ships Could Have to Pay Fees Under USTR Program
ITF rescue seafarers abandoned off Cyprus
Cyprus Maritime Conference’s panel on crew welfare saw union boss Stephen Cotton discussing the plight of seafarers just as a local inspector rescued an abandoned crew. Ten Syrian seafarers flew home from Cyprus, after five months stranded on an abandoned ship yesterday with all their wages after a union inspector battled to rescue them. Christiana Efstratiou, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)’s Cypriot inspector, who qualified just 18 months ago, had earlier won the Syrian crew a pay increase to an acceptable wage level.
ITF rescue seafarers abandoned off Cyprus
Philippines: Minervagracht Crew Wasn’t Given Chance to Avoid Gulf of Aden
MLC provides seafarers a right to disembark before entering high risk and warlike operations areas. The Filipino seafarer who lost his life in the Houthi attack on the freighter Minervagracht was never advised of his right to disembark before coming within range of the terrorist group’s missiles, according to the head of the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) gives seafarers the right to be repatriated if “the ship is bound for a war zone to which the seafarer does not consent to go.”
Philippines: Minervagracht Crew Wasn’t Given Chance to Avoid Gulf of Aden
The Looming International Shipping Crisis
The UN’s net-zero push is coming to a head with the Trump administration efforts to revamp US shipping. A fight is brewing ahead of the upcoming meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry. Formal approval at the October 14-17 meeting was assumed until the United States announced its opposition to the regulations in August and called on other governments to reject the proposal or face retaliation.
The Looming International Shipping Crisis – The National Interest