seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Support for any and every seafarer
By The Reverend Timothy Tunley https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/the-sea/support-for-any-and-every-sea...

The Mission is here for those at sea, whatever their sexuality or gender identity

Over the years I have helped to support several lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBT+) seafarers; their issues and joys are not much different from those of other seafarers in terms of their job at sea.

ITF will support Seafarers whenever owners fail to pay up
7 Oct 2021 https://www.miragenews.com/itf-will-support-seafarers-whenever-owners-fa...

The International Transport Federation (ITF) Australia welcomes the six-month ban placed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on the bulk Carrier MV Western Callao for underpayment of crew wages.

POEA bans employers of Filipino seafarers stranded in China
Bianca Angelica D. Añago October 6, 2021 https://www.bworldonline.com/poea-bans-employers-of-filipino-seafarers-s...

THE PHILIPPINE Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has blacklisted the employers of 29 Filipino seafarers stranded in Xiamen, China, who were abandoned after their respective vessels ceased operations in May.

Shipping group slams bill on seafarers
October 06, 2021 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1909504/Cebu/Business/Shipping-group-...

Bangladesh shipbreaking sector sees highest quarterly death toll
Adis Ajdin October 6, 2021 https://splash247.com/bangladesh-shipbreaking-sector-sees-highest-quarte...

COVID drives big demand for crew-change specialists
07/10/2021

Crew change specialists are in big demand from shipping companies struggling to get seafarers on or off vessels because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, an industry figure has revealed.

Authorities around the world have either closed ports or introduced entry measures to prevent potential coronavirus carriers from entering their country – making it difficult for ship owners to get crew in or out, according to Peter Smit, Co-CEO of Boers Crew Services.

Kenya: 'I Am a Muslim but I Had to Eat Pork' - Kenyan Seafarers Claim Mistreatment on China Vessels
Winnie Atieno 4 October 2021 https://allafrica.com/stories/202110050139.html

Kenyan seafarers have revealed unbearable working and living conditions and suspicious business activities aboard Chinese fishing vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.

They cited torture and mistreatment, including being forced to engage in illegal business and being barred from communicating with their families.

Gov't urged to address travel woes as PH starts losing global seafarer market share
Oct 06 2021 https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/06/21/ph-losing-global-seafarer-mar...

MANILA— The government should address bottlenecks preventing Filipino seafarers from going back to ships as firms shift to other nationalities with workers who are easier to bring onboard, an industry group said Wednesday.

Australia Bans Bulk Carrier for Six Months Over Maritime Labor Breaches
Mike Schuler October 5, 2021 https://gcaptain.com/australia-bans-bulk-carrier-for-six-months-over-mar...

Australian maritime authorities have banned a Singapore-flagged bulk carrier from the country’s port for six months for breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention related to underpayment of the ships crew who were also working under expired employment contracts.

Marina holds consultations to resolve issues on OBT
October 6, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/06/business/maritime/marina-holds-co...

The virtual public consultation conducted recently by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) on the long-overdue guidelines that will regulate the one-year required onboard training (OBT) for aspiring marine officers was met with strong opposition from some quarters.