seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Why Oil Tankers In The Middle East Shouldn’t Hire Mercenaries
ZeroHedge - Jul 15, 2019

Could a private, Blackwater-type private security firm fire the first shot in the gulf which sees Iran and the United States stumble toward a WWIII scenario? That's what has maritime industry analysts which advise shipping companies operating in the Middle East region concerned amid the latest soaring tensions, per a new Reuters report:

Iran Says It Aided Oil Tanker, Amid Reports of Missing U.A.E. Ship
Megan Specia July 17, 2019

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has said that security forces recently came to the aid of a foreign oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, hours after reports that Iran might have seized a tanker from the United Arab Emirates in the area.

East China’s Shandong in full sail as marine economy powerhouse
18/07/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/east-chinas-shandong-in-full-sail-a...

East China’s Shandong Province is giving full play to its advantages in developing the marine economy as it switches gear to new growth drivers, provincial officials said.

Inaugural Industry-Wide Survey and Study to Explore Diversity and Inclusion Across Shipping Launched
18/07/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/inaugural-industry-wide-survey-and-...

The first ever survey and study to explore levels of diversity and inclusion across the shipping industry has been announced by the newly-formed Diversity Study Group.

MSC forks out $50m to get cocaine-bust ship trading again
Sam Chambers July 16th, 2019 https://splash247.com/msc-forks-out-50m-to-get-its-cocaine-ship-trading-...

The MSC Gayane is sailing towards the Netherlands after its operator forked out $50m to free the boxship a month after US authorities found $1.3bn of cocaine onboard.

Seafarer’s drunkenness while off-duty
ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO |July 16,2019 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/245242/seafarers-drunkenness-while-of...

A seafarer cannot be dismissed on the ground of drunkenness or intoxication if he is off-duty.

Shortlist announced for the International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards 2019
17/07/2019

The contenders for the 2019 International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards have been announced ahead of this year’s awards ceremony during London International Shipping Week.

Pirates Kidnap Ten Turkish Sailors Off Nigeria
Reuters July 16, 2019 https://gcaptain.com/pirates-kidnap-ten-turkish-sailors-off-nigeria/?utm...

ANKARA, July 16 (Reuters) – Ten Turkish sailors were taken hostage by armed pirates who attacked a Turkish-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria, the vessel’s owner said on Tuesday, adding that another eight sailors were left safely aboard.

Floating restaurant to open in September
MERLINDA A. PEDROSA July 16, 2019 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1814629

BACOLOD. The floating restaurant. (Photo courtesy of City Administrator John Orola)
THE City Government of Bacolod will operate the floating restaurant in Barangay Sum-ag in September.

U.S. reaffirms pact to defend PH in case of West Philippine Sea attack
JC Gotinga July 16, 2019 https://www.rappler.com/nation/235548-united-states-reaffirms-pact-defen...

US officials affirm Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's assurance of aid in case of aggression in the West Philippine Sea amid growing security threat from China