seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

New MARINA Chief Assures Protection Of Filipino Seafarers
PNA March 17, 2020 http://pageone.ph/new-marina-chief-assures-protection-of-filipino-seafar...

Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad on Monday officially assumed as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), assuring the protection of Filipino seafarers’ “competitive advantage” as the primary choice in the seafaring industry.

13 Filipino crew members of US cruise ship positive for COVID-19
Dona Z. Pazzibugan - March 16, 2020 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/186132/13-filipino-crew-members-of-us-...

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen of the 538 Filipinos onboard the MV Grand Princess cruise ship in California have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed this after most of the ship’s 3,500 passengers and crew disembarked on Sunday.

Coronavirus-hit cruise ship still stranded off Bahamas
Mar 17, 2020 https://shipsandports.com.ng/coronavirus-hit-cruise-ship-still-stranded-...

A cruise ship operated by British Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines with more than 600 passengers onboard is still searching for a port where it could dock after being turned away by a number of Caribbean ports over coronavirus fears.

Rethinking maritime businesses for the digital age: the evolving role of ship agents
17/03/2020 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/rethinking-maritime-businesses-for-...

Seafarer is first confirmed COVID-19 patient in Abra, Cordillera
Valerie Damian - March 16, 2020 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1242918/seafarer-is-first-confirmed-covid-...

BAGUIO CITY – Two barangays in Manabo, Abra were placed under community quarantine after Abra Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos confirmed the first case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province.

Coronavirus taking a toll on Goan seamen
JOAO SOUSA March 16, 2020 http://www.navhindtimes.in/coronavirus-taking-a-toll-on-goan-seamen/

Margao: Coronavirus is taking a toll on Goans employed on cruise liners, with the ripple effect of the spread of the infection being felt on the major global shipping companies, which have now suspended their operations for up to two months.

Top manager takes aim at unfair coronavirus stance on crew
Sam Chamber March 16th, 2020 https://splash247.com/top-manager-takes-aim-at-unfair-coronavirus-stance...

One of the world’s top shipmanagers has hit out at the unfair treatment of stranded crew thanks to the coronavirus.

Thousands of seafarers around the world are having to adjust to longer time away from home as signing on and off ships has become far trickier thanks to the spread of the illness.

Alaska maritime cargo companies confident coronavirus won't disrupt shipments
Derek Minemyer , Mar 15, 2020 https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Alaska-maritime-cargo-companies-confid...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Two of Alaska’s major maritime cargo companies, Matson Inc and TOTE Maritime say they are confident the coronavirus will not disrupt shipments.

General cargo ship fire in cargo hold, Yellow sea
Mikhail Voytenko March 16, 2020 http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/03/16/general-cargo-ship-fire-in-ca...

General cargo ship reported fire in cargo hold or holds in the morning Mar 16, the ship is berthed in port, Yellow sea. Chemicals mentioned as the cause of fire. Crew and portworkers who were on board evacuated, all are safe.

444 Filipinos in Grand Princess cruise ship to come home
March 15, 2020 https://www.rappler.com/nation/254597-filipinos-grand-princess-cruise-sh...

(UPDATED) 438 crew members and 6 passengers will be repatriated from the ship currently quarantined in Oakland, California in the US due to the coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Filipinos on the quarantined cruise ship MV Grand Princess will be brought home to the Philippines on Sunday, March 15.