seafarers

The United Kingdom authorities detained six foreign-flagged vessels during January for failing port inspections.

Seafarers are to take part for the first time in judging the International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards 2019. The annual awards, which are organised by the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), recognise the best examples of seafarers’ welfare provision across the globe.

The incidence of crime at sea and in ports, including armed robbery and piracy, continues to pose a threat to seafarers and shipping in many “hot spots”.

A Louisiana court has fined a tanker company USD2 million and sentenced it to four years’ probation after it was convicted of illegally discharging oil from one of its tankers and then attempting to cover this up.

Maritime unions in Canada have taken solidarity action in support of colleagues in Australia sacked after an Australian shipping company decided to replace them with foreign crew on flag of convenience (FoC) vessels – employed on lower pay and with poorer conditions.

A seafarer aboard an 80,000-tonne bulk carrier, the Villa Deste, contacted the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) pleading for help. The starving crew claims to have no food and no onboard wages, and being fed on a $4 food budget per day.

Armed robbers continue to pose a threat to seafarers and shipping off West Africa, despite patrols by local navies. The most recent incidents reported to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) worldwide 24-hour Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) include the following.

Dozens of migrants and refugees are feared to have drowned off the coast of Djibouti after two overcrowded boats capsized. Two survivors were recovered but at least 38 people were confirmed dead as they tried to cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

The ferry company P&O is set to flag out its entire cross-English Channel fleet to Cyprus following more than 50 years of operating under the United Kingdom flag.

The ITF has condemned the decision by the BHP company to cut the Australian crew from two iron ore shipping vessels and replace them with foreign crew on flag of convenience (FoC) vessels.