seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Thames Estuary cargo ship: Four in court after military operation
24 December 2018

Four men detained when the military boarded a cargo ship in the Thames Estuary have appeared in court.

The Special Boat Service descended on to the Grande Tema on Friday, its owner said, after concerns were raised for the crew's safety.

The 71,000-tonne vessel was carrying a cargo including chemicals from Lagos in Nigeria to Tilbury, Essex.

The men, of no fixed address, were charged with affray and remanded by magistrates until 31 December.

Visa-free entry for seafarers, cruise ship tourists in Subic freeport
Jonas Reyes December 21, 2018 https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/21/visa-free-entry-for-seafarers-cruise-s...

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Wilma T. Eisma last night revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order (EO) granting temporary visit for foreign nationals in this premier freeport.

Two Instances of Crew Abandonment Highlight Risks for Indian Sailors
Samira Nadkarni 24 Dec 2018 https://thewire.in/labour/two-instances-of-crew-abandonment-highlight-ri...

Crew members abandoned at the Sharjah port

Tanker scrapping hits 15-year high
Sam Chambers December 24th, 2018 https://splash247.com/tanker-scrapping-hits-15-year-high/

Describing 2018 as a “year of extremes” for the tanker trades, brokers Gibson note that this year has marked the highest number of tanker demolitions over the past 15 years. All in all, more than 150 tankers above 25,000 dwt have been sent to the recycling yards, with weak industry returns and attractive scrap prices offering a strong impetus to scrap.

‘Maritime to triple contribution to economy’
December 25, 2018 https://www.manilatimes.net/maritime-to-triple-contribution-to-economy/4...

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has projected an exponential growth in the maritime industry’s contribution to the Philippine economy, with the implementation of the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP).

Port State Control to Begin Warning Vessels Not Ready for IMO2020
21 Dec 2018 https://shipandbunker.com/news/world/345249-port-state-control-to-begin-...

Letters will be issued from January 1, 2019, one year ahead of the new global sulfur cap. Image Credit: Paris MoU

From January 1, 2019 the Tokyo and Paris MOU port state control authorities will begin warning vessels deemed not ready for the new IMO 2020 global 0.50% sulfur cap on marine fuel.

Solutions for sustainable maritime economic development
23/12/2018 https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/214825/solutions-for-sustaina...

VietNamNet Bridge – Professor Dr Nguyen Chu Hoi, lecture at the Ha Noi National University talks to the weekly magazine Việt Nam & World Economy on what measures and solutions the country should pursue to achieve the goal of sustainable maritime economic development by 2030.

More than 24,000 sea travelers flock to ports on Christmas Eve
Faye Orellana - December 24, 2018 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1065961/more-than-24000-sea-travelers-floc...

MANILA, Philippines — On the first six hours of Christmas Eve, more than 24,000 passengers have already flocked to various ports across the country.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it monitored a total of 24,091 outbound passengers from 12 midnight until 6 a.m. of Monday.

Another tsunami could hit Indonesia, experts warn
Laurence Coustal December 24, 2018 https://www.philstar.com/world/2018/12/24/1879607/another-tsunami-could-...

Brewing Christmas storm creeps closer to PH as LPA brings rains
Dec 24 2018 https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/24/18/brewing-christmas-storm-creeps-cl...

This satellite image from PAGASA shows 2 low pressure areas swirling inside and outside the Philippine area of responsibility.