seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Anti-virus controls strand merchant sailors aboard ships
JOE McDONALD 24 Dec 2020 https://apnews.com/article/international-news-yangtze-river-los-angeles-...

PH eyes employing more seafarers after sending only 20,000 for 4 months
Betheena Unite December 17, 2020 https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/17/ph-eyes-employing-more-seafarers-after-send...

The Philippines was only able to employ an average of 5,000 seafarers a month at the height of the coronavirus disease outbreak, thousands lower than the original target of deployment, an official of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said Thursday.

Mission to Seafarers launches new fund raising campaign to support seafarers during pandemic
December 22, 2020 https://shipinsight.com/articles/mission-to-seafarers-launches-new-fund-...

Following on from its Flying Angel campaign, maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers has launched a new fundraising campaign to sustain the crew welfare support currently being provided around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

10 rescued after ship mishap in South China Sea
December 23, 2020 http://www.china.org.cn/china/2020-12/23/content_77041775.htm

Ten crew members have been rescued after abandoning a cargo ship that was listing to one side in the South China Sea, according to the provincial maritime search and rescue center of Hainan.

Indonesian crew member dies, four others injured off central Vietnam coast
Viet Quoc, Xuan Ngoc December 22, 2020 | https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/indonesian-crew-member-dies-four-other...

An Indonesian crew member of a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship struck off Binh Thuan Province by bad weather has been confirmed dead.

Liberia claims fastest growing flag state in 2020
Michele Labrut | Dec 22, 2020 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/liberia-claims-fastest-grow...

In late 2018 Liberia became the second largest flag state in the world, and since then, has continued to lead the world in fleet growth for two straight years.

MSC and IMO Highlight Crew Stuck Aboard Vessels Under Charter
12-21-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/msc-and-imo-highlight-crew-st...

The issue of crew changes aboard ships involved in charters is coming to light as the IMO issued a statement denouncing no crew change clauses and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company highlighted the situation on one vessel as an example of the hardship crews are facing.

Additional 13,320 overseas Filipinos repatriated before Christmas
Cristina Eloisa Baclig - December 22, 2020 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1374826/additional-13320-overseas-filipino...

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said 13,320 more overseas Filipinos were brought home last week. This brings to a total of 314,158 repatriated Filipinos since the start of COVID-19 related repatriations in February.

Two Chinese Vessels in Distress in Storm off Vietnam Prompting Rescues
12-22-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/two-chinese-vessels-in-distre...

A strong storm moving across the South China Sea in the area near Vietnam placed two Chinese-owned vessels in distress. The Vietnamese Coast Guard and other vessels in the area responded to distress calls.

China requires 2 Covid tests for Filipino seafarers–POEA
Philippines News Agency December 12, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/12/12/china-requires-2-covid-tests-fo...

All Filipino seafarers bound for China are required to take not only one but two coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) tests before they will be allowed to enter the host country, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Friday.