seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

China's Lockdowns are Over, but its Shipping Outlook is Still Mixed
Jan 1, 2023 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/china-s-lockdowns-are-over-bu...

AFP intensifying presence in West Philippines Sea
Michael Punongbayan - January 2, 2023 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/02/2234728/afp-intensifying-p...

MANILA, Philippines — Ensuring that territorial defense remains a top priority, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is increasing its presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even during President Marcos’ scheduled visit to China this week.

Indonesia’s digitalisation in maritime sector proves effective: Minister
VNA, December 29, 2022 https://en.vietnamplus.vn/indonesias-digitalisation-in-maritime-sector-p...

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on December 28 announced that the country is effectively digitalising its maritime sector with a focus given to port connectivity and digitalisation.

Bermuda Triangle is real! Sailors find 'ghost ship' drifting with no crew onboard
John Bett 29 Dec 2022 https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/bermuda-triangle-real-sailors-f...

Two sailors found an abandoned ship in the Bermuda triangle with no crew onboard and no distress signals in sight, and after research they discovered it had been lost long ago

Report: EU Considers Filipino Seafarer Ban Over Training Deficiencies
Dec 29, 2022 https://maritime-executive.com/article/report-eu-considers-filipino-seaf...

AFP assists 17 Vietnamese seafarers off Palawan
Dec 28 2022 https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/28/22/afp-assists-17-vietnamese-seafare...

The Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through its Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) Melville, helped 17 Vietnamese crew members of a vessel that ran aground in Balabac, Palawan Tuesday.

CBCP pays tribute to seafarers this holiday season
Christina Hermoso December 28, 2022 https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/28/cbcp-pays-tribute-to-seafarers-this-holiday...

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) assured seafarers and their families of prayers and support as it paid tribute to their sacrifices and hard work.

AMSA: Industry needs to revisit current crewing strategies and start treating seafarers decently
Mick Kinley December 28, 2022 https://safety4sea.com/cm-amsa-industry-needs-to-revisit-current-crewing...

Amidst COVID Surge, China Reopens Shore Access for Seafarers
Dec 27, 2022 https://maritime-executive.com/article/amidst-covid-surge-china-reopens-...

Amidst a growing surge of COVID-19 cases, China is preparing to reopen its ports of entry to foreign travelers - including seafarers - without any quarantine period or testing on arrival. The new policy will take effect on January 8. 

Europe Could Ban Filipino Crews From Cargo Ships, Rocking an Already Messed-Up Industry
Ryan Erik King 28 Dec 2022 https://jalopnik.com/europe-could-ban-filipino-crews-from-cargo-ships-ro...

European regulators claim that Philippine maritime education doesn't meet international standards, threatening another huge disruption to the shipping industry.