seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Beijing permanently stations rescue ship in Spratlys
Frances G. Mangosing August 03, 2018 http://globalnation.inquirer.net/168832/beijing-permanently-stations-res...

China is stationing a search and rescue ship on its man-made island on Philippine-claimed Zamora Reef in the Spratly archipelago, in a “gray zone tactic” to assert its ownership of the disputed feature in the South China Sea.

15 Indonesian Seamen Rescued After Ship Collision in Japanese Waters
August 02, 2018 http://jakartaglobe.id/news/15-indonesian-seamen-rescued-ship-collision-...

Jakarta. Fifteen Indonesian crew members of a Korean ship that collided with another one in waters off Japan arrived safely at the Busan Port in South Korea on Thursday (02/08), the Indonesian embassy in Seoul confirmed.

OOCL to Operate Solo Under COSCO
02 Aug 2018 https://www.porttechnology.org/news/oocl_to_operate_solo_under_cosco

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) will continue to operate independently, despite being taken over by Chinese state-owned container line COSCO.

COSCO’s purchase of OOIL, which has helped make it the third biggest container line in the world, was given final approval by US Homeland Security in July, 2018.

How China now controls a significant slice of the global container market
TOMAS KRISTIANSEN 01.08.18 at 14:45

As the world's now third-largest liner shipping company, state-owned Chinese Cosco has in record time gained control of a significant portion of the global market – and the company has already surpassed several European majors. The Chinese state's crucial influence is undeniable, shows a review.

Makati lawmaker bares P2-billion plan to revive Pasig River ferry system
August 1, 2018 https://businessmirror.com.ph/makati-lawmaker-bares-p2-billion-plan-to-r...

The national government has allotted P2 billion to revive the Pasig River ferry system, this time with smaller boats moving through more stations at a faster pace, Makati City Rep. Luis N. Campos Jr. said on Tuesday.

The great freight swindle
BEN KRITZ, August 2, 2018 http://www.manilatimes.net/the-great-freight-swindle/425908/

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) attempted to rekindle interest in a long-standing controversy when it asked the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) this week to “act on the concerns of the business sector” regarding “questionable” surcharges imposed on local importers and exporters by international shipping lines.

20 years ISM Code: Where do we stand
02/08/18

Nigerian Pirates Kidnap 35 Seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea – Report
02/08/2018 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/nigerian-pirates-kidnap-35-seafarer...

According to security firm EOS Risk Group, Nigerian pirates have kidnapped 35 seafarers from vessels in the Gulf of Guinea so far this year. This information was disclosed in their half year review of Nigerian piracy activity in the Gulf of Guinea.

Blacklisting as an industry retaliatory practice
Dennis Gorecho -August 2, 2018 https://www.panaynews.net/blacklisting-as-an-industry-retaliatory-practice/

MANY Filipino seafarers are reluctant to file complaints against their manning agents due to the so-called “blacklisting”, a practice used to prevent certain seafarers from being employed.

There is both “legal” and “illegal” blacklisting of seafarers.

With new technologies crew remain a shipowner's greatest asset
01 August 2018 http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/middle-east-africa/with-new-techno...

Shipowners and managers are embracing new business philosphies and technologies against the challenging economic backdrop the industry faces, but seafarers remain their greatest asset according to KVH Videotel.