seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Surprise! The Chinese Navy Just Transformed This Cargo Ship Into An Instant Helicopter Carrier
David Axe Aug 22, 2020 https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/08/22/surprise-the-chinese-na...

PHL hopes to become crew-change capital of the world–official
Lorenz S. Marasigan August 24, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/08/24/phl-hopes-to-become-crew-change...

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gunning to make the Philippines an international hub for crew change, which could also create more revenue streams for the government.

Gov’t support for PH shipbuilding industry urged
August 24, 2020 https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/24/govt-support-for-ph-shipbuilding-industry-u...

A policy think tank has called on the Philippine government to support the Philippine domestic shipbuilding industry, saying it is the necessary first step for the establishment of strong maritime defense capability.

Shipping losses fall but Covid-19 poses long-term safety challenges
24 Aug 2020 https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/shipping-los...

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty’s (AGCS) annual Safety & Shipping Review reported shipping losses and identified challenges that coronavirus poses for the shipping industry, which could impact safety and risk management

Same armed guard who took Eagle Bulk crew hostage takes over another vessel
Sam Chambers August 21, 2020 https://splash247.com/same-armed-guard-who-took-eagle-bulk-crew-hostage-...

The armed guard who held the crew of the Eagle Bulk controlled Jaeger supramax last month has done it again.

Enroll only in maritime schools with approved training programs for blended learning, seafarers told
Betheena Kae Unite August 22, 2020 https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/22/enroll-only-in-maritime-schools-with-approv...

Seafarers should enroll only in maritime training institutions with approved training programs for blended learning, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently said.

PH embassies in Oslo, Copenhagen look after Filipino seafarers
Roy Mabasa August 23, 2020 https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/23/ph-embassies-in-oslo-copenhagen-look-after-...

The Embassies in Oslo and Copenhagen have stepped up their consultations with the management and owners of cruise ships employing Filipinos as crew members amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) that severely affected the shipping industry worldwide.

Villanueva pushes for opening of PH ports for faster deployment of seafarers
Bong Lozada August 22, 2020 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1325686/villanueva-pushes-for-opening-of-p...

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing for the reopening of airports and seaports to assist in the faster crew changes of Filipino seafarers and avert a potential two-year deployment drought.

Ocean Rebellion climate action group launches with protest against cruise ship
Karen McVeigh 21 Aug 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/21/ocean-rebellion-clim...

State Media Reports 14 Missing After Cargo Ship and Tanker Collide Off Shanghai
August 20, 2020 https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2020/08/20/579708.htm

BEIJING— An oil tanker carrying 3,000 tonnes of gasoline collided with a cargo ship near Shanghai on Thursday, leaving 14 people missing, state media reported.