seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Indonesian crew member dies, four others injured off central Vietnam coast
Viet Quoc, Xuan Ngoc December 22, 2020 | https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/indonesian-crew-member-dies-four-other...

An Indonesian crew member of a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship struck off Binh Thuan Province by bad weather has been confirmed dead.

Liberia claims fastest growing flag state in 2020
Michele Labrut | Dec 22, 2020 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/liberia-claims-fastest-grow...

In late 2018 Liberia became the second largest flag state in the world, and since then, has continued to lead the world in fleet growth for two straight years.

MSC and IMO Highlight Crew Stuck Aboard Vessels Under Charter
12-21-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/msc-and-imo-highlight-crew-st...

The issue of crew changes aboard ships involved in charters is coming to light as the IMO issued a statement denouncing no crew change clauses and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company highlighted the situation on one vessel as an example of the hardship crews are facing.

Additional 13,320 overseas Filipinos repatriated before Christmas
Cristina Eloisa Baclig - December 22, 2020 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1374826/additional-13320-overseas-filipino...

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said 13,320 more overseas Filipinos were brought home last week. This brings to a total of 314,158 repatriated Filipinos since the start of COVID-19 related repatriations in February.

Two Chinese Vessels in Distress in Storm off Vietnam Prompting Rescues
12-22-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/two-chinese-vessels-in-distre...

A strong storm moving across the South China Sea in the area near Vietnam placed two Chinese-owned vessels in distress. The Vietnamese Coast Guard and other vessels in the area responded to distress calls.

China requires 2 Covid tests for Filipino seafarers–POEA
Philippines News Agency December 12, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/12/12/china-requires-2-covid-tests-fo...

All Filipino seafarers bound for China are required to take not only one but two coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) tests before they will be allowed to enter the host country, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Friday.

IMO condemns ‘no crew change’ clauses in charterparties
Adam Sharpe 21 Dec 2020 https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1135196/IMO-condem...

Such clauses exacerbate the mental and physical fatigue among exhausted seafarers, IMO says

Pope Francis Urges Governments to Repatriate Stranded Seafarers
12-21-2020 https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/pope-francis-urges-governments-...

Pope Francis has voiced his concern for stranded seafarers affected by the crew change crisis and urged governments to do all they can to repatriate them.

MOL reports new measures aimed to stop recurrence of Wakashio grounding
December 21, 2020 https://shipinsight.com/articles/mol-reports-new-measures-aimed-to-stop-...

What Happens When Tycoons Abandon Their Giant Cargo Ships
K Oanh Ha December 18, 2020 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-12-17/what-happens-when-tyc...

From the deck of their tanker, Captain Samig Nabiyev and his crew could see the smoke and fire rising over the Port of Beirut, 900 meters away. When the flaming warehouse exploded, the force of the blast knocked Nabiyev flat on his back.