seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Philippines, US denounce China’s ‘gray-zone activities’ in contested waters
Jason Gutierrez and Basilio Sepe 2023.03.21 https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/us-china-gray-zone-sou...

Washington and Manila have accused Beijing of “gray zone activities,” or coercion, in the disputed South China Sea, including the “massing” of dozens of Chinese ships near a Philippine-occupied territory.

Global merchant fleet ageing rapidly
Sam Chambers March 21, 2023 https://splash247.com/global-merchant-fleet-ageing-rapidly/

The global merchant fleet is getting old fast with a growing number of experts suggesting shipping could face a bottleneck in the coming years as a paucity of available newbuild slots fail to cover the volume of ships hitting their demolition age.

Tanker Fire Off Portugal Sparks Pollution Concern
Mike Schuler March 21, 2023 https://gcaptain.com/tanker-fire-off-portugal-sparks-pollution-concern/

A tanker carrying diesel and jet fuel is on fire in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Portugal, prompting concern of a potential pollution incident.

Ukrainian cargo ship crew rescues Russian sailors who were shipwrecked while attempting to circumnavigate the globe
March 21, 2023 https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/03/21/ukrainian-cargo-ship-crew-rescue...

Sexual abuse at sea: Where we stand
The Editorial Team March 20, 2023 https://safety4sea.com/cm-sexual-abuse-at-sea-where-we-stand/

The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has identified abuse and harassment -including sexual abuse and harassment- as key challenges to seafarers’ mental health.

Philippine oil spill spreads to one of the nation’s richest marine biodiversity areas
Sam Chambers March 20, 2023 https://splash247.com/philippine-oil-spill-spreads-to-one-of-the-nations...

35 Filipino seafarers detained in Namibia now home
Dan Navarro 20 March 2023 https://tribune.net.ph/2023/03/20/35-filipino-seafarers-detained-in-nami...

Thirty-five Filipino seafarers were brought home to the country after seven months of detainment in Namibia, a country in Southwest Africa, OFW Partylist reported on Monday.

Seafarer abandonment a growing worldwide issue but UAE cases recede
20/03/2023 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/seafarer-abandonment-a-growing-worl...

The number of seafarers abandoned without pay is beginning to recede in the UAE thanks to tougher deterrents against rogue shipping contractors, experts said.

DOJ probes PCG, MARINA for allowing oil tanker to sail sans permit
CNN Philippines Staff Mar 18, 2023 http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/18/DOJ-probes-PCG--MARINA.html

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 18) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is investigating the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for allowing the sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress to sail without a permit to operate.

ITF targets four flags in the Mediterranean Sea
The Editorial Team March 17, 2023 https://safety4sea.com/itf-targets-four-flags-in-the-mediterranean-sea/

Up to a thousand ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of inspectors from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), seafarers’ unions and port authorities.