seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

PhilHealth clarifies ‘fake receipts’ losses
February 21, 2020 https://www.manilastandard.net/news/national/317819/philhealth-clarifies...

A ranking official of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on Thursday claimed only P1.2 million was lost to the fake receipts scam involving insurance premiums from overseas Filipino workers.

Indonesia to Send Navy Hospital Ship to Evacuate Diamond Princess Crew Members
BERITASATU FEBRUARY 22, 2020 https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-to-send-navy-hospital-ship-to-eva...

Jakarta. The Indonesian government plans to bring home its 74 citizens who have been quarantined inside Diamond Princess cruise ship off the Japanese city of Yokohama due to coronavirus outbreak, a health official said on Friday.

Virus ship crew's families fear for kin as PH evacuation postponed
Agence France-Presse February 22, 2020 https://www.rappler.com/nation/252452-diamond-princess-crew-families-fea...

While hundreds of travelers have disembarked, more than 1,000 crew remain – including over 400 Filipinos whose return on Sunday has been delayed until Japan clears them to travel

Labor group pushes due pay, perks for Japan cruise ship crew
Ferdinand Patinio February 22, 2020 https://www.canadianinquirer.net/2020/02/22/labor-group-pushes-due-pay-p...

MANILA — A labor group on Saturday called for proper compensation and benefits to hundreds of Filipino workers of the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan who will be repatriated next week.

U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Cosco Vessel that Moved Iranian Oil
February 21st, 2020 https://www.globaltrademag.com/u-s-lifts-sanctions-on-cosco-vessel-that-...

The U.S. Treasury Department and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of removed sanctions on shipping tanker COSCO Dalian on Jan. 31.

DFA securing clearances, permits for disembarkation of Pinoys from Diamond Princess
MICHAELA DEL CALLAR 2020-02-23 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/news/726976/dfa-securing-cle...

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is coordinating with Japanese authorities regarding the repatriation of Filipinos onboard the COVID-19-hit MV Diamond Princess.

China to apply ship pollution prevention measures
21/02/20 https://safety4sea.com/china-to-apply-ship-pollution-prevention-measures/

DFA: 49 Filipinos aboard Diamond Princess test positive for COVID-19
Katrina Hallare-February 22, 2020 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/185539/dfa-49-filipinos-aboard-diamond...

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Filipinos who have been infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship now quarantined at the Yokohama Port in Japan has reached 49, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

Abandoned seafarers: Hungry, penniless and far from home
Roz Tappenden 21 February 2020 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-51008251

Seyed Nasr Soltan is one of the crew members stranded on board the PSD2. Photo: Sailors' Society

Coronavirus Increases Demand for Eastern European Crew
02-20-2020 https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/coronavirus-increases-demand-fo...

As global restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak begin to impact the shipping industry, crewing specialist Danica reports an increase in enquiries from shipping companies seeking to employ Eastern European crew but says, as yet, salaries have not been affected by any shortages.