seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Industry Voices: A 2026 wish-list for a safer maritime industry
The Editorial Team December 18, 2025

Safety starts with people. Built on trust, competence, and collective action, it places seafarers at the heart of resilient and sustainable maritime operations, as maritime experts highlight in our special column.

Marina, CHEd gears for full implementation of Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers
Yashika F. Torib December 17, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/17/business/maritime/marina-ched-gea...

THE Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is now gearing to transfer its functions to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) as part of the implementation of the Republic Act 12021 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

Targeting of crew in Black Sea slammed by seafarer union
Harry Papachristou 15 December 2025

Seafarers should not be put in danger, regardless of the politics of the ships they’re working on, ITF says

The seafarers’ global trade union, the ITF, has condemned the wave of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that have put dozens of crew members in danger.

Shortfall in funding for seafarer welfare raised in UK Parliament
15 Dec 25 https://www.humanrightsatsea.org/news/shortfall-funding-seafarer-welfare...

An estimated 23,700 seafarers work in the UK shipping industry. Without them, and international seafarers, supermarket shelves would be empty within seven days.

What does international law tell us about the US seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela?
December 11, 2025 https://theconversation.com/what-does-international-law-tell-us-about-th...

US seizure of oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet
Jishua Goodman & Michael Biesecker | December 13, 2025 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/13/us-seizure-of-oil-tanker-off-ve...

US forces intercept ship, seize cargo destined for Iran from China — report
December 12, 2025 https://www.trtworld.com/article/2f66d88c5135

The Wall Street Journal says the operation was a rare maritime interdiction aimed at disrupting Iran’s military procurement efforts.

December 12, 2025

US forces have intercepted a ship in the Indian Ocean last month and seized military-related cargo believed to be destined for Iran from China, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

Iran Seizes Foreign Oil Tanker With 18 Crew Members
RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 13, 2025 https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-gulf-irgc-oil-tanker/33622251.html

Iranian judicial authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker and detained its 18 crew members in the Sea of Oman.

Reports in Iranian media said the ship seized on December 12 was carrying some 6 million liters of smuggled fuel.

Coast Guard Rescues Five Crew Members Off Seogwipo
Oh Jae-yong 2025.12.12. https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/12/12/FIHYIZO6MRECVEM52V...

Five crew members fell overboard from a cargo ship passing south of the waters near Seogwipo, prompting the Coast Guard to urgently dispatch resources and rescue all individuals.

CMA CGM Doubles Female Seafarer Numbers in First Year of She Sails Initiative
Mike Schuler December 10, 2025 https://gcaptain.com/cma-cgm-doubles-female-seafarer-numbers-in-first-ye...

French shipping giant CMA CGM has successfully doubled its female seafaring workforce within just one year of launching its She Sails program, marking significant progress in an industry that has traditionally struggled with gender diversity.