ITF News Update
Can we truly celebrate International Seafarers Day?
The Day of the Seafarer was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention to recognise the unique contribution made by seafarers from all parts of the world to the international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.
UN adopts PH-driven resolution to ensure seafarers’ human rights
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) in Geneva has adopted a resolution led by the Philippines to promote and protect the human rights of seafarers. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo announced that this is the first-ever resolution of its kind to be introduced and adopted by the UN HRC.
Taiwan’s first female maritime pilot celebrated at presidential office
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s first female maritime pilot was celebrated with a film screening at the presidential office on Friday (July 12). The film depicting Huang Chao-ling’s (黃昭玲) work navigating some of Taiwan’s most challenging coastal waterways is the 50th episode of the incongrously named “The Soul of the Craftsman (匠人魂)” series, produced by Taiwan NGO the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC), per CNA.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5900645
Seafarers psychologically impacted by Ukrainian conscription law
The recent introduction of the new Ukrainian conscription law has sparked significant controversy and mixed reactions among Ukrainians. This law, seen as a response to the substantial military pressures Ukraine faces amidst ongoing conflict, aims to strengthen the armed forces’ ranks.
Home away from home: The silent service of the Mission to Seafarers
The service is organised by the Mission to Seafarers, a largely unsung organisation that renders an immense service of supporting seafarers who arrive at the Colombo Port, many of them from distant lands and new to the country.
Master of Shadowy Iranian Tanker [Arman 114] Sentenced to Seven Years for Pollution
After he disappeared and missed several court dates, the captain of the Iranian tanker Arman 114 has been sentenced to seven years in prison in connection with an illicit STS transfer off Indonesia’s Riau Islands. Iran routinely transships oil between “shadow fleet” tankers at anchorages in Southeast Asia, wiping the sanctioned origins of the cargo clean using new paperwork and a new hull.
Debris Washes Ashore in South Africa from Grounded Cargo Ship
South African officials are warning that the fertilizer cargo and debris from the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy is washing ashore after the vessel was pounded by a week of bad weather. Breaks in the weather are permitting the salvage operations to proceed for the vessel that grounded on a remote part of the Atlantic coast northwest of Cape Town.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/debris-washes-ashore-in-south-africa-from-grounded-cargo-ship
UKRAINIAN SEAFARERS: AT THE READY FOR SAFE NAVIGATION
Maritime industry representatives came together at ITF House for the Ukraine Maritime Forum. Ukrainian seafarers were top of the agenda last month as representatives from across the maritime industry came together at ITF House, in London, for an event run by the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU).
https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/ukrainian-seafarers-ready-safe-navigation
UK ‘FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT’ TAINTED BY FORCED LABOUR ABUSES, HUMAN TRAFFICKING
More than 130 migrant fishers impacted by forced labour in seafood supply chain for scampi that ends up on UK plates. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has successfully appealed against the false labour and human rights claims of the UK Nephrops (scampi) Fishery Improvement Project (FIP).
ITF NOWHERE TO HIDE CAMPAIGN TARGETING WA PORTS NEXT WEEK
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (the ITF) Australian Inspectorate will be targeting wage theft in a week of action at Western Australian ports between 21 – 27 July 2024. The Week of Action is part of the ITF’s Nowhere to Hide Campaign (the Campaign) launched in 2023 to target and identify the exploitation of international seafarers calling into Australian ports.
UN resolution promoting seafarers’ rights lauded
The resolution, introduced and approved between June 18, 2024 and July 12, 2024, acknowledges the formidable challenges that seafarers face at sea, jeopardizing their human rights, safety, and well-being as they carry out their duties under often dangerous conditions.
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/money/un-resolution-promoting-seafarers-rights-lauded/ar-BB1q5zVa
9 crew members of capsized oil tanker off Oman rescued, 1 dead
Comoros-flagged oil tanker Prestige Falcon capsized off Oman On July 15. At least 9 crew members of a Comoros-flagged oil tanker that capsized off Oman earlier this week have been rescued, while one died, according to Indian and Omani officials.
Shipping companies impacted around the world by Microsoft outage
Many shipping companies have been hit by today’s outage of Microsoft, one of the biggest IT outages recorded. Multiple global businesses have reported failures of their Windows PCs today caused by a failed software update from antivirus company CrowdStrike.
https://splash247.com/shipping-companies-impacted-around-the-world-by-microsoft-outage/
UK targets more Russian-linked oil tankers with sanctions
Western officials believe the strategy is proving effective in undermining Moscow’s ability to export crude. The UK is to target 11 more Russian-linked oil tankers with sanctions, as part of a strategy that some of Ukraine’s western allies believe has proved effective at undermining the ability of the Kremlin to export crude.
https://www.ft.com/content/9016682b-ef2c-4b54-b8f5-d330703abfb1