seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Falling Global Trade-To-GDP Ratio Worries Shipping Industry
31/12/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/falling-global-trade-to-gdp-ratio-w...

The global trade-to-GDP ratio has fallen since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis and will affect shipping demand in the years to come, says Peter Sand, chief shipping analyst for the shipping trade organization BIMCO. He calls it “one of the most worrying trends for the global shipping industry.”

Navy Touts US Merchant Ship's Rescue of Iranians After Others Left Them Adrift
Gina Harkins 28 Dec 2019 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/28/navy-touts-us-merchant-sh...

Even as tensions continue to run high between the U.S. and Iran, Navy officials say a recent rescue effort in the Middle East serves as an example of good behavior on the high seas.

Norway suspends sea search efforts for missing Bulgarian sailors
January 3, 2020 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norway-missing-bulgaria/norway-suspen...

SOFIA (Reuters) - The Norwegian authorities on Thursday suspended wider search and rescue operations for two Bulgarian sailors who officials say fell overboard from a cargo ship in the Norwegian Sea, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said.

Pension for seafarers via social welfare
Jan 2, 2020 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/pension-for-seafarers-via-s...

Panaji: The disbursal of pension for retired seafarers under the Goa welfare/pension scheme for seafarers will soon be implemented through the social welfare department.

16 crewmen arrested in Iran have no links to Malaysia
Tasnim Lokman January 2, 2020 https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/552772/16-crewmen-arrested-ir...

KUANTAN: Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed that the 16 crewmen of a ship arrested by Iranian authorities for allegedly smuggling oil near Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf are not Malaysians.

Five Missing After Crab Fishing Boat Sinks Off Alaska
Aimee Ortiz Jan. 1, 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/us/scandies-rose-fishing-boat-alaska....

Two of seven crew members were rescued after the Scandies Rose, a 130-foot-long crab fishing vessel, sank on Tuesday night, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard rescuers were searching for five people after the boat they were on sank off Alaska, officials said on Wednesday.

57 crew kidnapped off West Africa in just one month
Sam Chambers January 2nd, 2020 https://splash247.com/57-crew-kidnapped-off-west-africa-in-just-one-month/

A total of 57 crew were kidnapped last month in and around the Gulf of Guinea, a similar figure to November with shipping now on high alert as the security situation in in West Africa has spun out of control.

Shipping sector is ready for IMO 2020: International Chamber of Shipping
2 Jan 2020 https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/01/02/shipping-sector-is-ready-for-imo-2...

Domestic ship owners struggle to meet sulfur cap
December 31, 2019 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1838169

DOMESTIC shipping companies are struggling to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) regulations governing the sulfur cap which takes effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Edgar Nicolas, officer-in-charge administrator of the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association Inc., said there are not enough options for compliant fuel in the market today. He said the government is still at the survey stage.

PH closely monitors kidnap of 2 Filipino sailors in Cameroon
JC Gotinga January 01, 2020 https://www.rappler.com/nation/248333-philippines-monitors-kidnap-filipi...

The Filipino seamen are among 8 crew members of a Greek oil tanker abducted in a port in Cameroon on New Year's Eve