seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

In Gulf Tanker Crisis, Iran Tries to Avoid Alienating Allies
Benoit Faucon Aug. 8, 2019

Indian crews and China-bound oil are caught up in Tehran’s retaliation over Trump administration’s sanctions

Iran’s disruptions of Persian Gulf oil shipments are putting the country’s leaders in a difficult position as they retaliate against foes while trying not to irritate their few remaining allies.

Cargo Ship Diverts Due To Sick Crew Member
August 6, 2019 | http://bernews.com/2019/08/cargo-ship-diverts-due-to-sick-crew-member/

The cargo ship ‘Federal Alster’ diverted to Bermuda due to a sick crew member. The ship arrived off the east end this evening [Aug 6] and was met by the pilot boat St David.

DOTr chief suspends PCG, Marina execs over Iloilo mishap
Richmond Mercurio August 9, 2019 - https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/08/09/1941929/dotr-chief-suspend...

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in Western Visayas were relieved following last week’s sea tragedy at the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait that killed 31 people.

China Warship Collision Led to Standoff, Freighter Captain Says
Samson Ellis and Adela Lin August 7, 2019 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-07/china-warship-collisi...

The Taiwanese coast guard intervened to end an hour-long standoff between a freighter and an unidentified Chinese warship after the two vessels collided in the contested Taiwan Strait last week.

British guards pulled from Gulf ships over Iran capture fears
David Sheppard and Anjli Raval and Aime Williams 9 August 2019 https://www.ft.com/content/5d0fef56-b9da-11e9-8a88-aa6628ac896c

Top security firms have removed British guards from ships in the Gulf because of fears that Iran could try to capture UK nationals as tensions soar in the Middle East.

Container ship and brand new cargo ship collided in Japanese waters
Mikhail Voytenko August 8, 2019 https://maritimebulletin.net/2019/08/08/container-ship-and-brand-new-car...

DMA issues seafarers identity smart cards to sailors
Shoon Lei Win 8 August 2019 https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/dma-issues-seafarers-identity-smart-cards...

Seafarers identity smart cards are being issued to about Myanmar sailors in line with the criteria in ILO Convention, said a source from the Department of Marine Administration under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

6 Coast Guard, Marina officials sacked over sea accidents
Nestor P. Burgos Jr. - August 07, 2019 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1151530/6-coast-guard-marina-officials-sac...

JORDAN, Guimaras, Philippines — Six officials of the Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) have been relieved following the triple sea tragedy at the Iloilo Strait that killed 31 people, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Wednesday.

Cebu-based shipping companies create unified organization
Irene R. Sino Cruz |August 08,2019 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/250096/cebu-based-shipping-companies-...

CEBU CITY—The owners and operators of Cebu-based shipping companies established a single organization to promote development in the domestic shipping industry.

US government warns of Iranian threats to commercial shipping, including GPS interference
Ryan Browne and Barbara Starr August 7, 2019 https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/07/politics/us-warns-of-iranian-threats-...

(CNN)The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration has issued a new warning to commercial shipping about Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf, saying that some ships have reported having their GPS interfered with.