seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

ICS publishes seafarer vaccine roadmap
Marcus Hand | May 14, 2021 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/ics-publishes-seafarer...

In a move to try and speed up vaccinations of seafarers the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published a roadmap.

16 U.S. states take lead in international seafarer vaccinations
Nick Blenkey May 13, 2021 https://www.marinelog.com/shipping/16-u-s-states-take-lead-in-internatio...

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reports that, to date, 16 states in the U.S. have begun vaccination programs for foreign-national crews of ships delivering goods to their ports.

Dutch to vaccinate close to 50,000 seafarers
Adis Ajdin May 12, 2021 https://splash247.com/dutch-to-vaccinate-close-to-50000-seafarers/

A Covid-19 vaccination program for seafarers will begin in the Netherlands in mid-June, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) said Wednesday.

All seafarers who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management are eligible for the vaccine.

India’s Covid-19 Surge Adds Pressure to Seafarers Stranded at Sea
Coastas Paris May 12, 2021 https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-covid-19-surge-adds-pressure-to-seaf...

Vessel operators are facing a revival of crew shortages as some major ports restrict sailors that have traveled to India

Egypt announces plans to expand Suez Canal where massive cargo ship got stuck
The Associated Press May 12, 2021 https://globalnews.ca/news/7854149/egypt-suez-canal-expansion/

Egypt on Tuesday announced plans to widen and deepen the southern part of the Suez Canal where a hulking vessel ran aground and closed off the crucial waterway in March.

A deepfelt worry for those at sea
May 12, 2021 https://splash247.com/a-deepfelt-worry-for-those-at-sea/

Carl Martin Faannessen, the CEO of Noatun Maritime, on the danger of the mental “infinite loop” which leads to lack of focus and demotivation. And what happens if seafarers start buckling.

Bear with me as I start this with two separate strands of thought, hoping to splice them into mooring for a deepfelt worry.

DOH now verifying close contacts of seafarers infected with India COVID-19 variant
CNN Philippines Staff May 12, 2021 https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/5/12/close-contacts-India-COVID-var...

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) — The Department of Health is now looking into the health status of the close contacts on board the plane of two Filipino seafarers who contracted the "double mutant" B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant first found in India.

PGC to check if 9 Filipino sailors of cargo ship from India carry ‘double mutant’ variant
Cathrine Gonzales -May 11, 2021 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1430358/pgc-to-check-if-9-filipino-sailors...

Manning agencies seek govt help in setting crew wages
May 12, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/12/business/maritime-business/mannin...

Some manning agencies have asked the government to be proactive in helping the manning industry preserve jobs for Filipino seafarers amid the pandemic that caused the industry to lose a sizable number of jobs to seafarers from other countries.

Seafarers’ mental health
Carlos C. Salinas May 12, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/12/business/maritime-business/seafar...

We celebrate National Mental Health Week every second week of October pursuant to Proclamation No. 452, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994. This coincides with the observance of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10.