seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Kidnapped by pirates, Gorakhpur seafarer recalls horror
Arjumand Bano | Jan 3, 2020 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/kidnapped-by-pirates-s...

GORAKHPUR: A seafarer from Gorakhpur, who is now back to his hometown, recalled how he was kidnapped by pirates along with 18 Indian crew members on December 3 when his ship was returning from Nigeria.

Disgraceful conduct
A LAW EACH DAY (KEEPS TROUBLE AWAY) - Atty. Jose C. Sison - January 3, 2020 - https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2020/01/03/1981588/disgraceful-conduct

Shipping has reasons to be optimistic despite serious challenges
Lee Hong Liang | Jan 03, 2020 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/shipping-has-reasons-be-opt...

The shipping industry has a number of reasons to be cheerful as it enters a new decade, despite some serious challenges in the immediate future, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

Falling Global Trade-To-GDP Ratio Worries Shipping Industry
31/12/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/falling-global-trade-to-gdp-ratio-w...

The global trade-to-GDP ratio has fallen since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis and will affect shipping demand in the years to come, says Peter Sand, chief shipping analyst for the shipping trade organization BIMCO. He calls it “one of the most worrying trends for the global shipping industry.”

Navy Touts US Merchant Ship's Rescue of Iranians After Others Left Them Adrift
Gina Harkins 28 Dec 2019 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/28/navy-touts-us-merchant-sh...

Even as tensions continue to run high between the U.S. and Iran, Navy officials say a recent rescue effort in the Middle East serves as an example of good behavior on the high seas.

Norway suspends sea search efforts for missing Bulgarian sailors
January 3, 2020 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norway-missing-bulgaria/norway-suspen...

SOFIA (Reuters) - The Norwegian authorities on Thursday suspended wider search and rescue operations for two Bulgarian sailors who officials say fell overboard from a cargo ship in the Norwegian Sea, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said.

Pension for seafarers via social welfare
Jan 2, 2020 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/pension-for-seafarers-via-s...

Panaji: The disbursal of pension for retired seafarers under the Goa welfare/pension scheme for seafarers will soon be implemented through the social welfare department.

16 crewmen arrested in Iran have no links to Malaysia
Tasnim Lokman January 2, 2020 https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/552772/16-crewmen-arrested-ir...

KUANTAN: Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed that the 16 crewmen of a ship arrested by Iranian authorities for allegedly smuggling oil near Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf are not Malaysians.

Five Missing After Crab Fishing Boat Sinks Off Alaska
Aimee Ortiz Jan. 1, 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/us/scandies-rose-fishing-boat-alaska....

Two of seven crew members were rescued after the Scandies Rose, a 130-foot-long crab fishing vessel, sank on Tuesday night, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard rescuers were searching for five people after the boat they were on sank off Alaska, officials said on Wednesday.

57 crew kidnapped off West Africa in just one month
Sam Chambers January 2nd, 2020 https://splash247.com/57-crew-kidnapped-off-west-africa-in-just-one-month/

A total of 57 crew were kidnapped last month in and around the Gulf of Guinea, a similar figure to November with shipping now on high alert as the security situation in in West Africa has spun out of control.