seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Cargo vessel from virus-hit China under probe for 'misrepresentation'
Gaea Katreena Cabico - February 28, 2020 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/28/1996796/cargo-vessel-virus...

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said it is investigating a cargo vessel with travel history to China after its captain allegedly declared false information on the ship’s clearance details.

Virus-hit ship’s Filipino crew eyed for Bagong Bayani Awards
Lade Jean Kabagani February 27, 2020 http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2020/02/27/virus-hit-ships-filipino-crew...

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mulling the nomination of the Filipino crew of the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship for Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA), a national search for the country’s outstanding and exemplary overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Crew of ship from China barred from Bacolod port
Gilbert Bayoran February 27, 2020 - https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/02/27/1996315/crew-ship-china-barre...

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has prevented 19 crewmembers, including 15 Chinese, of a merchant vessel from disembarking at the Bredco Port in this city.

Liner bankruptcy potential at highest levels recorded
Sam Chambers February 28th, 2020 https://splash247.com/liner-bankruptcy-potential-at-highest-levels-recor...

Container shipping has been warned in a new report it could face another Hanjin Shipping style collapse with one key liner bankruptcy indicator on red alert. The potential for liner bankruptcy potential is at its strongest in the 10 years that US consultants AlixPartners have been tracking this specific data set.

Toxic chemicals and seafarer’s heart diseases
ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO -| February 25,2020 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/290253/toxic-chemicals-and-seafarers-...

Seafarer’s medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, can be attributed to their constant exposure to hazards such as toxic chemicals and the varying temperature, coupled by stressful tasks in his employment.

Virus Disrupts China’s Shipping, and World Ports Feel the Impact
Keith Bradsher and Niraj Chokshi Feb. 27, 2020

Even where factories are back in operation, getting freight to docks has been impeded by roadblocks and quarantines.

SHANGHAI — Some docks in China are clogged with arriving shipping containers or iron ore. Warehouses overflow with goods that cannot be exported for lack of trucks. And many factories are idle because components are not reaching them.

'Hugely disruptive': Coronavirus torpedoes global shipping
Reuters 27 Feb 2020 https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/disruptive-coronavirus-torpedoes-glob...

Supply chain disruptions placing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of shipping business in jeopardy, says official.

Dominican Republic turns back cruise ship amid virus fears
Associated Press / February 28, 2020 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1234484/dominican-republic-turns-back-crui...

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A cruise ship heading to the Dominican Republic to disembark hundreds of passengers after a 14-day tour was turned away on Thursday because officials feared eight of those aboard showed potential symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, officials announced.

Editorial, Panay News - Pinoy sailors
February 27, 2020 https://www.panaynews.net/pinoy-sailors/

THERE was an unnecessary brouhaha in recent weeks about the reported impending closure of many maritime schools due to deficiencies and failure to meet training and education quality standards. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) eventually denied it, to the relief of thousands of maritime students, their parents, and the schools concerned.

Filipino crew leave Diamond Princess; others remain on board
Ana P Santos 26 Feb 2020 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/filipino-crew-leave-diamond-princ...

(see video here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1232248787160027136)

All Filipino crew not infected by the virus arrive home but hundreds of workers from other countries remain on ship.