seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Panama-flagged cargo ship refloated off Hualien without oil spill
01/04/2026 https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202601040010

Hualien, Jan. 4 (CNA) A Panama-flagged bulk carrier that ran aground off Hualien County on New Year's Day was successfully refloated on Saturday and towed into Hualien Port, with no oil pollution detected, authorities said Sunday.

Is China quietly preparing cargo ships to transform into military vessels in case of war?
Yuanyue Dang in Beijing and William Zheng in Hong Kong 26 Dec 2025

Containers bear the words ‘plan for the maritime revival of the Chinese nation and the community of shared future for mankind in the ocean’

Images of a cargo ship in Shanghai carrying containerised vertical launchers, sensors and self-defence systems have spread online and prompted discussion for apparently showing China’s capacity to convert civilian cargo vessels to military purposes.

Chinese Cargo Ship Converted To Launch Advanced Combat Drones Emerges (Updated)
Tyler Rogoway Jan 2, 2026

Close ups show the original configuration of the weaponized cargo ship, including its large radar and its 30mm CIWS, both of which remain, and its countermeasure launchers, which are now gone from the starboard side. (Chinese internet)

CMA CGM doubles female seafarer
Manal Barakat Jan 2, 2026 https://mykn.kuehne-nagel.com/news/article/cma-cgm-doubles-female-seafar...

She Sails programme drives rapid progress in gender diversity as European shipping group records promotions and new partnerships

CMA CGM has marked the first anniversary of its She Sails initiative with a significant milestone: the number of women serving at sea has more than doubled in one year.

Marina: 583,642 training certificates issued in 2025
Lorenz S. Marasigan January 1, 2026 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/01/01/marina-583642-training-certific...

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) issued 583,642 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates to qualified Filipino seafarers in 2025.

Kidnapped LPG Carrier Crew Released from Captivity in West Africa
Dec 30, 2025 https://maritime-executive.com/article/kidnapped-lpg-carrier-crew-releas...

The nine members of the crew aboard the LPG gas carrier CGAS Saturn have been released and are reported to be safe after their ordeal in West Africa. The owner of the vessel, Christiania Gas, announced on December 29 that the crew was released and being repatriated.

2026 in maritime optimisation and communications: key digitalisation technologies to transform shipping
Martyn Wingrove 31 Dec 2025 https://www.rivieramm.com/opinion/2026-in-maritime-optimisation-amp-comm...

Digitalisation and advanced communications technologies and trends will influence the maritime world in 2026

Challenges, opportunities seen for seafarers in 2026
Yashika F. Torib and Carmela I. Huelar December 31, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/31/business/maritime/challenges-oppo...

2026 is here, and for the Filipino seafarer, it brings a forecast of rough seas mixed with opportunity.

India targets more crewing agencies over seafarer exploitation
Paul Peachey 31 December 2025

More than 50 companies have been barred from operating in 2025 during crackdown

India has struck off a crewing agency that supplied seafarers left unpaid for months after the US sanctioned its product tanker.

Crew manager 7 Star Shipping Services recruited seafarers for the 6,020-dwt Sondos (built 2002), but the Indian shipping regulator said that some were not paid for up to six months.

PAMI on CHED-Mar­ina shift: ‘We feel excluded’
YASHIKA F. TORIB 31 Dec 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/31/business/maritime/pami-on-ched-ma...