seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

DFA: 17 Filipinos seafarers held hostage by Yemen's Houthi rebels
Gaea Katreena Cabico - November 22, 2023 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/22/2313384/dfa-17-filipinos-s...

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:40 p.m.) — Seventeen Filipino seafarers were among the individuals taken hostage after Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

Incentives needed to support domestic shipping industry -- Bautista
Khriscielle Yalao Nov 22, 2023 https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/22/incentives-needed-to-support-domestic-shipp...

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista highlighted the need to incentivize the country's shipping industry to increase local players and domestic shipping fleets.

FAME members told to implement seafarers wage increase starting Jan 2024
November 22, 2023 https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/11/22/business/maritime/fame-members-to...

The Filipino Association for Mariners' Employment (FAME) was urged to implement the 6 percent increase in seafarers' wages effective January 2024.

Survey finds crew employment market has tipped in favour of seafarers
Sam Chambers November 21, 2023 https://splash247.com/survey-finds-crew-employment-market-has-tipped-in-...

Crewing specialist Danica has revealed the results of its latest seafarer survey, which clearly show wages for men and women working at sea are on the up.

Marcos: Gov’t working to secure release of seafarers held by Houthi rebels
Gaea Katreena Cabico November 23, 2023 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/23/2313636/marcos-govt-workin...

MANILA, Philippines — The government is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the 17 Filipino seafarers who were taken hostage by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said.

Seafarers rescue distressed fisherman off Pangasinan
Martin Sadongdong Nov 19, 2023 https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/19/seafarers-rescue-distressed-fisherman-off-p...

Filipino crew members of a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel have rescued a distressed fisherman who was floating off Pangasinan and eating styrofoam to survive after an apparent sea mishap, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sunday, Nov. 19.

More must be done to protect seafarers and fishers’ rights says Work at Sea Conference
16 November 2023 https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_901957/lang-...

The first joint seafarers high-level conference organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) acknowledged the pivotal role played by seafarers and fishers in future global development.

The training racket and the seafarer
Andrew Craig-Bennett November 16, 2023 https://splash247.com/the-training-racket-and-the-seafarer/

Andrew Craig-Bennett bemoans our industry’s misguided approach to training.

DMW padlocks consultancy firm illegally recruiting seafarers
Marita Moaje November 14, 2023 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1213651

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday padlocked a consultancy firm in Manila reportedly involved in the illegal recruitment of seafarers and offering other maritime jobs.

Consistent downward trend in seafarer happiness
Staff reporter 13 Nov 2023 - https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/consistent-downward-trend-seafarer...

Issues around wages, workload and connectivity are continuing to weigh heavily on the seafaring community, raising serious concerns for the industry.