ITF News Update
Chinese captain refused to falsely accuse fellow crew members, wrongfully imprisoned for 2 years!
At an event held by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, the ordeal of Chinese Captain Yu struck a nerve within the industry – after refusing to succumb to pressure to “frame his own crew,” he suffered a two-year wrongful imprisonment in a violent Honduras prison, exposing the harsh reality of the “criminalization of seafarers.” The maritime community is urgently calling: protecting seafarers is protecting the foundation of shipping.
Seafarer Connect’s half-century: 50 Wi-Fi units for free seafarer internet
MARITIME welfare program Seafarer Connect has notched up a valuable half-century in the shipping industry with the accumulation of 50 Wi-Fi units, allowing seafarers free internet access while their ships are berthed in Australian ports. An initiative of the not-for-profit Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation, Seafarer Connect helps seafarers get online by providing ports with rigid cases, each containing a 5G router and Wi-Fi connector linking to the Telstra network.
Seafarer Connect’s half-century: 50 Wi-Fi units for free seafarer internet
Unions Form Global Alliance to Oppose Port Automation
Unions continue their resistance against efforts by ports and terminal logistics operators across the globe to automate processes in order to enhance efficiency. A group of unions announced that they formed an alliance aimed at fighting automation on the basis that it is killing dock workers’ jobs. Following a two-day summit in Lisbon, Portugal, that brought together hundreds of trade union representatives from more than 60 countries alongside leaders, academics, and experts from the maritime and port sectors, the unions report that a framework has been adopted to fight any efforts by ports to invest in automating operations.
Unions Form Global Alliance to Oppose Port Automation
Will new amendments to the 2025 Maritime Labour Convention advance seafarer rights?
More than 90% of global trade moves across oceans, yet the 1.9 million seafarers enabling this trade often operate in a legal grey zone. The risks they face are manifold – from protracted conflict in key shipping lanes, to being charged illegal recruitment fees to secure a job, stresses Rakesh Ranjan, South Asia Regional Coordinator, IHRB. The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), described as a ‘Seafarers’ Bill of Rights’ first entered into force in 2013 and was designed to establish a single and enforceable global framework for maritime labour standards.
Will new amendments to the 2025 Maritime Labour Convention advance seafarer rights? – SAFETY4SEA
Suppression is not the same as eradication
The tripartite defences holding back Somali piracy only work when all three parts function. An attempted hijacking or kidnap on Hellas Aphrodite ultimately failed, and shipping’s best management practices worked, but this problem isn’t going away. THE would-be hijackers of product tanker Hellas Aphrodite (IMO: 9722766) have thankfully left empty-handed. But there will be more attacks. Warnings of a pirate action group returning to the seas were issued on Monday, some by this very publication, and the news that shots had been fired at a vessel off the Somali coastline were greeted with grim predictability by many on Thursday morning.
Suppression is not the same as eradication :: Lloyd’s List
Poppies of respect for maritime professionals at remembrance events
Nautilus members and officials from the UK and the Netherlands paid their respects to Merchant Navy seafarers killed in global conflicts at 2025 Remembrance ceremonies held in London and Wallasey.
Nautilus assistant general secretary (AGS) Sascha Meijer travelled from the Netherlands to lay a wreath for the first time in her AGS role during a ceremony at the UK Merchant Navy Memorial on Tower Hill in London on Remembrance Sunday.
Poppies of respect for maritime professionals at remembrance events
Tackling the root causes of seafarer exploitation
Reports of seafarers being exploited by unscrupulous crewing agents always cause outrage in the shipping world, and rightly so. No seafarer should have to pay commissions to agents who take advantage of their need for work. But if we really want to solve this problem, we must be honest about the wider issues that allow it to continue. The uncomfortable truth is that not all seafarers are innocent victims. Some are complicit in the deception. They pay agents to falsify their documents so that they appear more qualified or experienced than they really are.
Tackling the root causes of seafarer exploitation – Splash247
Maritime and Coastguard Agency implements digital assessments of trainee seafarers
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is planning to implement a web based platform for the digital assessment of trainee seafarers. It has been developed with the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) under the Cadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) programme. The platform is linked to the updated syllabus, and the MCA said it will enable testing to focus more accurately on real life scenarios and competency. This will apply to a range maritime qualifications including certificates of competency for deck, engine and electro-technical officers.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency implements digital assessments of trainee seafarers | UKAuthority
Tensions Within Houthi Leadership Could Increase Threat to Shipping
As tensions rise amongst the Houthi rebel leadership in Yemen, the Royal Saudi Navy (RSNF)’s Western Fleet has launched Exercise Red Wave 8. From flags on display at the opening ceremony in Jeddah, Djibouti, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan and the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) of Yemen are amongst the nations participating in the exercise. The operational focus of the training appears to be countering piracy and the Houthi threat, both in the Red Sea and in border areas.
Tensions Within Houthi Leadership Could Increase Threat to Shipping
AI is Useful, but it Will Not Be Brilliant
AI is here to stay. Those who don’t explore its use and capabilities may soon find themselves left at the dock. At our company, we treat AI like any other engineering tool — no different than finite element analysis or computerized performance prediction. When used well, it’s extremely useful. When used poorly, it’s useless. At that level, we don’t worry about “intelligence.” It’s more like a fluffy Wikipedia, which, by the way, remains a surprisingly solid source of hard technical information.
AI Is Useful, But It Will Not Be Brilliant
Abandoned Ethiopian fishers held in Iran subjected to modern slavery and abuse
ITF condemns forced disembarkation of fishers being held in Bushehr, Iran. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) demands immediate action to resolve the abandonment of two Ethiopian fishers who faced modern slavery on board the Iran-flagged FV Dargahan 13 (IMO 7105299). The fishers were forcibly removed from the vessel – currently in Bandar Abbas Port, Iran – after joining it in December 2024 and working 11 months on board – nine of which they received no pay for. They are owed a total of USD 1,800 each – based off a wage of only USD 200 per month, far below the expected minimum monthly wage for seafarers.
Shore leave crisis for seafarers
Workload and lack of time in port result in crew spending months on board ship without ever setting foot on land. The session featuring Chief MAKOi at Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global in Manila was followed by a presentation from Katie Higginbottom, Head, ITF Seafarers’ Trust on a report on shore leave. Higginbottom kicked off her presentation by quoting a conversation from a seafarer three years earlier asking him about whether he took shore leave and getting the reply that he didn’t take shore leave as he needed the time to sleep. “How can you have any quality of life when you are either working or sleeping?” she mused.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/shore-leave-crisis-for-seafarers
Maritime Law: Cabotage Laws from 91 countries Around the World
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) released a multi-year study showing 91 nations have cabotage laws on their books. The report – calledCabotage Laws of the World– comes from the Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI). It provides the first comprehensive, independent analysis of worldwide maritime cabotage laws since the early 1990s. (SRI Executive Director Deirdre Fitzpatrick addressed the MTD Executive Board in March on this research).
https://www.worldports.org/maritime-law-cabotage-laws-from-91-countries-around-the-world/
UK seafarer cadets become first to follow new ‘futureproofed’ maritime syllabus
This year’s cohort of seafarer trainees have become the first in the UK to learn under a new syllabus developed through an industry-wide initiative, led by the UK maritime and coastguard agency (MCA), to ensure skills keep pace with modern technology and practices. Lessons began in September this year using the updated syllabus. Its revision was completed and presented to nautical colleges in 2023 for implementation into courses now being rolled out for the next generation of seafarers.
New report highlights urgent need to better support pregnancy at sea
12 November 2025, Manila – Investing in a clearer and better supported pregnancy experience for women, before, during and after a pregnancy can give maritime companies a powerful retention advantage, according to a new report from the All Aboard Alliance. Based on interviews with 15 female seafarers of varying nationalities, ages, seniorities, and vessel types, Pregnancy at sea: From hidden risk to retention edge reveals how pregnancy among seafarers is still often handled through improvised and inconsistent practices, leaving many women feeling isolated and anxious and creating unnecessary risks to their safety, well-being, and careers.
Seafarers routinely have to falsify work and rest hours
Speakers at Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global highlighted massively long work weeks for ship’s crew and falsification of records. It’s one of the shipping’s dirty little secrets the routine “adjusting” of seafarer records for hours of work and rest. In a keynote address on day two of Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global Mark Dickinson, Vice President of the ITF Seafarers section, commented on the long work hours that are the norm for those working at sea and questioned if new technologies such as AI could help bring about positive change.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/seafarers-routinely-have-to-falsify-work-and-rest-hours
Flags of Convenience in World Fisheries: International Legal Aspects
The concept and characteristics of a «flag of convenience», the history of the emergence and use of such flags in marine fishing are considered in the article. Statistics on the use of «flags of convenience» are provided, and international legal aspects of nationality and registration of sea vessels are explored. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the requirements regarding the existence of a genuine link between the State and the ship, established by international law.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5627310
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean adopts new sustainability measures
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has adopted a series of new sustainability measures for fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. GFCM – the regional body in charge of managing both fisheries and aquaculture operations in both the Mediterranean and Black seas – said it has reinforced mechanisms to bolster compliance with its decisions in a move that will enhance sustainability by ensuring appropriate action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Maersk: Supply chain professionals expect serious upcoming disruptions
Maersk has conducted a survey among more than 900 European companies, revealing that the vast majority of cargo owners expect ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies to continue disrupting global supply chains for at least the next 1-2 years. According to Maersk, more than 78% of the supply chain professionals surveyed said they anticipate that geopolitical dynamics, trade tariffs, and international trade regulations will impact their operations over the next one to two years.
https://safety4sea.com/maersk-supply-chain-professionals-expect-serious-upcoming-disruptions/
New reporting requirements for containers lost at sea starting 2026
ABS has issued a regulatory news update on new mandatory IMO reporting requirements under SOLAS and MARPOL for freight containers lost or observed adrift at sea, effective January 1, 2026. As informed, the Maritime Safety Committee, at its 108th session, adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter V (Resolution MSC.550(108)), requiring the reporting of freight containers lost at sea or observed drifting at sea.
https://safety4sea.com/new-reporting-requirements-for-containers-lost-at-sea-starting-2026/
“Below Deck: The Truth Beneath What You Sea”
Greenpeace South Asia Exposes A Pattern Of Safety Lapses, Environmental Violations, And Liability Avoidance By MSC. The investigative report reveals how MSC’s use of ageing vessels, regulatory loopholes, and flag-of-convenience practices have repeatedly led to environmental accountability shortfalls in South Asia. … The investigative report traces how MSC became the world’s largest container carrier by expanding rapidly while deploying ageing, second-hand vessels to South Asian routes under flags of convenience, thus reducing costs and limiting incident liability, as part of a double standard pattern that has repeatedly shifted the burden of environmental risk onto developing nations.
https://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/press/19991/below-deck-the-truth-beneath-what-you-sea/
Experts: Use retired Kenya Navy ships to train local seamen
Recently retired Kenya Navy vessels, KNS Galana and KNS Tana, should be converted into training vessels for merchant mariners aspiring to work onboard seagoing vessels. Maritime experts say given that most universities and colleges are unable to afford the training vessels, the two ships should act as common training facilities for all. Andrew Mwangura, former Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK) Secretary General, said Kenya’s maritime ambitions are constrained by a critical shortage of skilled seafarers. He said the lack of the mandatory hands-on training infrastructure has denied most Kenyans jobs in international shipping lines that are currently facing labour shortages.
https://archive.ph/7k6tn#selection-2813.167-2813.168
Study: Filipino seafarers generate P1.06 trillion in economic impact
A research study presented by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and ALMA Maritime Group (Association of Licensed Manning Agencies) entitled “The Overseas Seafarers’ Industry Profile, Structure, and Impact on the Philippine Economy” shows a massive P1.06 trillion of total economic impact, or 4% of the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP), is generated from Filipino seafarers in the maritime industry. Figures from the study reveal that every P1 sent home (Philippines) becomes nearly P3 in the economy.
https://www.panaynews.net/study-filipino-seafarers-generate-p1-06-trillion-in-economic-impact/
Dutch shipowners defend lower pay rates for foreign seafarers
Seafarers from the Philippines and Indonesia should be paid the same wages as their Dutch counterparts, according to a Dutch foundation which has called on shipping firms to take action or face a mass claim court case. Currently seafarers employed by Dutch shipowners can be paid according to the cost of living in their home country, and that means sharply lower salaries. “The Indonesian and Filipino seafarers are often paid less than half of what their colleagues earn,” the Equal Justice Equal Pay Foundation said this week.
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/dutch-shipowners-defend-lower-pay-rates-for-foreign-seafarers/
Tanker seized after transiting Strait of Hormuz
A Greece-owned crude oil tanker is understood to have been forced to turn into Iranian territorial waters by Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Security sources say no casualties or damage were reported, but the reasons for the seizure remain unclear. SECURITY sources have called for enhanced vigilance in the Strait of Hormuz after a crude oil tanker was seized by Iranian forces overnight. The 2010-built, Marshall Islands-flagged, 73,371 dwt crude oil tanker Talara (IMO: 9569994) left Hamriyah in the UAE on Thursday, with its AIS destination showing it was sailing towards Singapore.
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1155503/Tanker-seized-after-transiting-Strait-of-Hormuz