In the Gulf of Guinea, piracy and armed robbery have been long-standing problems, but in recent years the frequency of attacks is increasing in this region. The severity of this issue and the treatment of the crews is worsening, with ruthless and inhumane acts of violence.
This is the latest instalment in one of most notorious cases of abandonment that the ITF has seen in years, and the third crew onboard the UAE-flagged tanker that have been successfully repatriated after being abandoned at sea by Alco Shipping Services.
The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) of maritime employers and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) strongly urge companies to ensure that they are in full compliance with the upcoming changes to the terms and conditions which will affect ships’ cargo handling operations in ports.
The Sri Lankan second officer, Ravindu Lakmal Pieris Telge, fell overboard the Maersk containership Patras at approximately 9:30am and despite an extensive search and rescue operation his body has not yet been recovered.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) today released an appalling photograph onboard the Liberian-registered bulk carrier raising fresh concerns and fears about the welfare of seafarers working onboard Blumenthal’s global Flag of Convenience (FoC) fleet.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have been contacted by current and ex-crew members who have told distressing stories of intimidation, threats and abusive conditions onboard the German shipping company’s global fleet.
The attack reportedly occurred on at 6am local time (10:00 GMT) on Sunday causing damage to the structure of the four vessels – including Saudi oil tankers Al-Marzoqah and Amjad, the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory, and a UAE bunkering barge, the A Michel – anchored at one of the world's largest
Protests outside Australian Embassies and Consulates, corporate offices and on the waterfront called for a reinvigoration of Australia’s domestic shipping industry and urged Australian voters to change the government at the upcoming Australia federal election on May 18.
Dockers are the workers trained in lashing, seafarers are not. That difference matters.
The meeting in Cartagena last week culminated with the launch of the ITF Latin American Contact Network, extending the ITF’s commitment to providing support to seafarers in the region.
