seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

When is a seafarer not a seafarer?
August 7, 2025 https://splash247.com/when-is-a-seafarer-not-a-seafarer/

Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, writes about the growing concern of riding squads.

When is a seafarer not a seafarer? It sounds like the start of a lame dad joke, and in many ways, it is. But the answer is far less amusing: when they’re aboard as part of a supposedly temporary riding squad.

Filipino seafarer loses job over video of him kissing 3-year-old son
Maila Ager - August 13, 2025 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/288054/filipino-seafarer-loses-job-ove...

MANILA, Philippines—A Filipino worker at a cruise ship has lost his job for keeping a video showing him and his wife kissing their three-year-old son.

The video was considered child pornography material by the United States authorities and was used against Romeo Samonte.

PHL seeks seafarer protections via new labor deal with Liberia
Adrian H. Halili August 15, 2025 https://www.bworldonline.com/labor-and-management/2025/08/15/691678/phl-...

THE PHILIPPINES is looking to strengthen seafarer protections by signing new labor agreements with Liberia, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Filipino seafarers claimed they were ‘framed,’ deported due to alleged child pornography
GISELLE OMBAY, August 13, 2025 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/content/955806/filipino-seaf...

Several Filipino seafarers traversing US territorial waters narrated on Wednesday how they got deported after they were “falsely accused” of having access to child pornography materials.

Deported Pinoy seafarers testify on discrimination
Marc Jayson Cayabyab - August 14, 2025 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/14/2465302/deported-pinoy-sea...

MANILA, Philippines — A group of seafarers testified before the Senate yesterday about the discrimination they said they suffered at the hands of US deportation agents under the Trump administration.

How shipping's flags of convenience endanger seafarers
Katie McQue 15 August 2025 https://www.context.news/money-power-people/how-shippings-flags-of-conve...

What’s the context?

Abuses are more likely on vessels that fly the flags of countries other than where the owners are based, rights groups find.

Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training to safeguard shipping’s future
CIH August 6, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/08/06/business/maritime/columbia-group-...

Shadow tanker fleet still growing by 30 ships a month despite increased sanctions
Sam Chambers August 5, 2025 https://splash247.com/shadow-tanker-fleet-still-growing-by-30-ships-a-mo...

Despite a torrent of sanctions from the US, UK, and EU this year, the shadow tanker fleet continues to expand at pace, according to new figures from broker BRS.

Seafarer Happiness Index improves in all areas in Q2
Gary Howard, August 6, 2025 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/seafarer-happiness-index-impro...

Image: OSM Thome

Deportation of Filseafarers in the US under probe
Kimberly Anne Ojeda 04 Aug 2025 https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/04/deportation-of-filseafarers-in-the-us-...

A TYPICAL day for a Filipino seafarer onboard an international seagoing vessel.Lloyd's List