seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

After freedom, Filipino seafarers captured by pirates battle trauma
Ana P. Santos Oct 24, 2020

ISABELA, Philippines

Filipino seafarers, owing to the country’s status as being the largest supplier of seafarers in the world, are the most at risk. At the height of the piracy, the Philippine government said a Filipino seafarer is kidnapped every 6 hours.

READ: Part 1 | Ocean lockdown: Filipino fishermen face perils at sea

Every day for nearly 5 years, Elmer Balbero was afraid to die.

Ocean lockdown: Filipino seafarers face perils, death at sea
Ana P. Santos Oct 23, 2020

MANILA, Philippines

Part 1: Long-haul fishing is notorious for its exploitative working and deplorable living conditions. Solitary months in the high seas place crew at the mercy of extreme weather disturbances and at risk of physical abuse by malevolent captains.

Jesus Gaboni and 8 other men carefully wrapped Raul Calopez’s body in a white blanket before storing it in the ship’s freezer. Afterwards, the men gathered around in silent prayer.

Missing Vessel Feared Hijacked in Gulf of Guinea Found, Crew Safe
10-23-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/missing-vessel-feared-hijacke...

Greek Ship owners violates (SIC) US sanction
October 23, 2020 https://dailytimes.com.pk/681086/greek-ship-owners-violates-us-sanction/

How Covid-19 has changed the future of cruise ship design – and made them even safer
Gary Buchanan 22 October 2020 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/coronavirus-has-chan...

More Woes for Japanese Shipping Line as Vessel Arrested Over Crew Problems:Australia is Not a Happy Place for Car Carrying Outfit
October 23, 2020 https://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/more-woes-for-japanese-...

Pope donates money to victim families of cargo ship disaster
Junno Arocho Esteves, October 22, 2020 https://www.ucanews.com/news/pope-donates-money-to-victim-families-of-ca...

The ship was carrying 43 crew members when it capsized in the sea of Japan early last month

Pope Francis sent an undisclosed amount of money to the families of the missing crew members of a cargo ship that capsized off the coast of Japan in September.

Fighting for the welfare of global seafarers
Jon Ingleton 22 October 2020 https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/fighting-for-the-welfare-of-glob...

Jon Ingleton talks to Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, president of the World Maritime University, the IMO’s apex institution for maritime and ocean education

China voices concern as 29 Filipino seafarers test positive for coronavirus
Jason Jiang October 22, 2020 https://splash247.com/china-voices-concern-as-29-filipino-seafarers-test...

A total of 29 Filipino seafarers have tested positive for coronavirus after arriving in China to board their ships, according to a report carried in the Manila Bulletin, the Philippines’ largest English language broadsheet newspaper.

Up to 30 nations threaten to walk away from IMO’s emissions meet-up
Sam Chambers October 23, 2020 https://splash247.com/up-to-30-nations-threaten-to-walk-away-from-imos-e...

It’s been an especially fractious week at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as debate rages on how best to improve shipping’s carbon footprint.