17.06.2021

ITF wins freedom for hunger-striking seafarers after two years trapped on the ULA | ITF Seafarers
Nineteen seafarers from India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Azerbaijan will be able to see their families again this week after the ITF’s advocacy brought their two-year ordeal to a close. One member of the MV ULA (IMO: 8102414) crew had even been trapped aboard the ship for 31 months.
See also: https://seanews.co.uk/features/the-two-year-ordeal-freedom-for-hunger-striking-seafarers-of-mv-ula

Royal Caribbean delays Odyssey of the Seas sailing after crew members test COVID positive | Miami Herald
Royal Caribbean International has postponed the inaugural sailing of its Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship “out of an abundance of caution” after eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the company’s CEO said.

Ital Libra Captain’s remains finally delivered to family | Seatrade Maritime News
Captain Angelo Capurro joined the Ital Libra following a crew change in South Africa the vessel then sailed to Asia and at least two crew members tested positive for Covid, and the Master died at sea after and the vessel was placed in a two week quarantine offshore Jakarta. 

Seafarers from Covid-hit India are struggling to get on ships—and off them | Quartz
Last August, when the first wave of India’s Covid-19 pandemic was ebbing, Rajasironmani went back to sea. Rajasironmani, who uses only one name, lives with his family near the south Indian town of Tuticorin. He works as an engineer on cargo ships, and his life is punctuated by crewing contracts; every trip onboard is a new assignment, requiring a new contract. The one he signed in August was for five months on a ship that took him to ports in the US, Australia, Canada, and China, among other places.

Weekly briefing: Container congestion spreads | Dry bulk attracts attention | Tankers look to the skies in dread | Lloyd’s List
Emotions are running high in the box sector as the crisis pushes spot freight rates to ever higher levels, squeezing shippers’ margins and turning up the volume on frustrated calls for the sector to face tighter regulation (not that this will help). The sizzling dry bulk sector meanwhile has attracted new plays from both box operator Costamare and former tanker tycoon Tor Olav Trøim, proving that bulk is now the place to be. Tankers, sadly, is not the place to be, unless your play is very, very long.

Denmark leads Paris MoU performance white list | Lloyd’s List
The Paris MoU’s white list of best-performing flags includes Norway and the Marshall Islands, while its black list of worst performers includes Tanzania and Belize
Cameroon, Togo and Comoros feature at the bottom of the black list, ranked as medium-to-high risk, while Albania is categorised as high risk

"Two major problems undermine the IMO's role as regulator of the shipping industry" | Shipping Watch
The IMO's 2030 plan is drawing fierce criticism from operators and maritime leaders, all agreeing that the deal in no way contributes enough to reduce the level of carbon emissions. The IMO is past its prime as a regulator, says maritime senior executive.

Maersk warns of delays as Australian strikes hit Asia-Pacific trade | Financial Review
Singapore | Industrial action at Australian ports is delaying cargo ships by up to a week and putting more pressure on already stretched regional supply chains, according to the world’s largest container shipping company.

Opinion: This is why almost half of cargo ships are sailing around empty | Market Watch
How do transport markets interact with markets for world trade in goods? Changes in demand for products as countries unevenly recover and emerge from pandemic lockdowns have led to dramatic increases in the cost of shipping for both commodities and manufactured goods.
 

16.06.2021

ITF Flags Concerns Over Repatriation of Deceased Seafarers’ Bodies | G Captain
Concerns are mounting amid shocking revelations that ports are increasingly refusing to repatriate deceased seafarers’ bodies under the the guise of COVID-19 pandemic measures.

Crew Working Beyond Contract Expirations Rose by a Quarter in May 2021  | Maritime Executive
While the global crew change crisis has fallen from the headlines, new data shows that the number of crew working beyond their contracts rose by a quarter in May 2021. Increasing infection rates in key crew source countries, along with stricter crew change protocols in major ports were cited as driving the increase.

How 'Chaos' In The Shipping Industry Is Choking The Economy | NPR
Whidbey Island is a lovely place about 30 miles north of Seattle on the Puget Sound. Most days the tranquil sounds of rolling waves and chirping birds provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. But these days, all is not so serene. Residents are complaining about the ruckus created by humongous container ships anchored off their shore.

Covid outbreaks in Chinese ports could cause global goods shortages | The Guardian
Combination of rise in demand for products as some countries reopen and lockdowns in some port cities mean prices could climb

Maersk warns Yantian port congestion a ‘much bigger disruption’ than Suez Canal closure | Seatrade Maritime News
The world’s largest container line Maersk says that congestion and delays at Yantian port in South China are a much bigger disruption to its operations than the Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal in March this year.

X-Press Pearl operator says master bailed following court hearing | Lloyd’s List
Sri Lanka is reported to be seeking $40m in interim compensation from operator X-Press Feeders, partly to cover firefighting costs. Clean-up efforts continue
The Russian master of the fire-stricken boxship X-Press Pearl was released on bail after appearing in court without charge, according to the vessel’s owner

Spain arrests subterfuge tanker for illegal oil dumping | Lloyd’s List
The Liberia-flagged tanker — with ties to Venezuela’s subterfuge fleet — was ordered into the port of Almeria pending payment of a hefty release fee
Spain has detained a tanker after it was spotted illegally discharging hydrocarbons into the sea, causing a 55 sq km oil spot in the Atlantic

Ever Given and general average: How one of those quirky things about marine insurance works | Lloyd’s List
When a 20,000 teu boxship becomes grounded in the Suez Canal, thousands of cargo interests are on the hook for a share of rescue costs. Two shipping barristers explain the whys and wherefores
‘If the UK P&I Club ends up paying over the odds for release of ship and cargo, is that in some way equivalent to a ransom situation? Might that be recoverable in GA as well?’ asks prominent shipping QC
 

14.06.2021

Shipping apes G7 to spread the word for seafarers | Lloyd’s List
A parallel ‘M7’ group of shipowners’ associations also made a show of unity for the industry's green research and development fund plan, and pushed for more digital documentation
The UK Chamber of Shipping is lobbying more for action on crewing, green shipping and digitalisation during the G7 meeting, saying the industry’s message is not getting through enough

13 Filipino seafarers stranded in China for months seek help | CNN Philippines
The Magsaysay Maritime Corporation says they have engaged lawyers to represent the 13 Filipino seafarers who've been stranded in China for 17 months now.

Union begs for support as pirates kill four aboard Bayelsa boat | Punch NG
Gunmen believed to be pirates have attacked a passenger speedboat and abducted four persons in Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the victims were travelling from Twon-Brass near the Atlantic Ocean to Yenagoa on Wednesday, when the pirates struck.
The Chairman of the Maritime Workers’ Union, Brass Unit, Mr Daniel Biodomoye, confirmed the incident.

Extinction Rebellion closes Port Botany terminal for climate emergency protest | Green Left
Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating backed the XR action saying: “All fuel used in NSW is imported by sea. Just like every other job in carbon-intensive industries, we must take action now and plan a future for these workers in low-emission jobs.

Quarantine for Darwin port workers a 'bureaucratic overreaction', maritime union says | ABC News
The maritime union is demanding the release of 13 port workers from mandatory quarantine in Darwin, disputing the claim by health authorities that the workers breached COVID safety rules.

Congestion at South China ports worsens on anti-COVID-19 measures | Reuters
Congestion at container shipping ports in southern China is worsening as authorities step up disinfection measures amid a flare-up in COVID-19 cases, causing the biggest backlog since at least 2019.

The week in charts: Yantian Port congestion | Easing global box demand | Crew abandonment case failures | Lloyd’s List
New data shows that crew abandonment cases are still taking far too long to be resolved. Vessel queues into Yantian may have reduced over the past week at the port’s main anchorage but are still significant, while ships looking to avoid the disruption continue to build up at neighbouring facilities. Elsewhere, new figures show that global box demand eased through April, yet shippers are warned to expect equipment shortages and delays to prolong through to 2022

Could Cyber Attacks Spell Doom for the Maritime Industry? | International Policy Digest
Do you know how truly massive the global maritime industry is? Billions of tons of vital goods like food, medicine, and oil are shipped around the world every year, and any interference with these ships can cause massive economic impacts. We saw these economic impacts earlier this year when a shipping vessel lodged itself in the Suez Canal, blocking the passage of other vessels. This blockage cost the world nearly $10 billion in trade each day it was stuck.

APM Terminals names Jonathan Goldner as Asia head | Lloyd’s List
Mr Goldner, current chief commercial officer, will take over the helm from Tim Smith from September 1
APM Terminals will move its Asia headquarters to Singapore from Hong Kong in the coming months

11.06.2021

ITF battles for crew wage payments as abandonments soar | Ship Insight
‘Tip of the iceberg’: ITF inspectors recover $45m in seafarers’ wages amidst record-high abandonments.

Crewing crisis is ‘manageable but not sustainable’ | Lloyd’s List
The number of seafarers unable to get home from their ships is well down on a year ago. Nevertheless, the crisis has revealed weaknesses in supply, travel, welfare and corporate culture
V.Group says the broad spread of crew-source countries has been beneficial. However, new fuels and technologies will place increasing pressure on training and skills

Union leaders are fighting terminal automation at Long Beach’s Pier T | Long Beach Business Journal
A labor union is clashing with a Port of Long Beach terminal operator after plans to automate operations were announced last month.
Total Terminals International, operator of the 385-acre Pier T, met with leaders of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on May 17 to announce its intentions to automate the Long Beach operation. Represented were ILWU Local 13, 63 and 94.

Tomorrow's 24-hour nationwide strike of seafarers' unions was deemed illegal by the Piraeus Court of First Instance | Athina
For their part, the seafaring unions have announced that regardless of the court decision, tomorrow's 24-hour mobilization will take place normally, while there will be guarding of the mobilization in the port of Piraeus.

Union raises concerns over safety of MV Pentalina | Press and Journal
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has raised safety over a potential catamaran charter.

Maritime Union Agrees With Freight Industry Concerns On Profiteering | Scoop NZ
Mr Harrison says ongoing issues with supply chain congestion, missed ship calls to ports, and extreme surges in the cost of freight, are causing significant damage to the economy.

The Ever Given Crew Are Still Stuck at Sea | Foreign Policy
On March 29, after being stuck sideways in the Suez Canal for nearly a week, the Ever Given was unmoored. With that, the world’s attention, rapt for days by global shipping, turned elsewhere.

Shipping industry welcomes Nigeria’s creation of ‘Deep Blue’ to stamp out piracy in the Gulf of Guinea | Hellenic Shipping News
Nigeria has announced yesterday a significant investment in military and law enforcement infrastructure to secure its maritime domain as part of a stepping up of actions to address the ongoing piracy issue in the Gulf of Guinea. Managed by the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA), the multi-agency project will significantly increase maritime security in the region, an area blighted by piracy, armed robbery, and other maritime crimes.

Yantian Port congestion has echoes of Suez | Lloyd’s List
Virus-led port congestion in southern China is taking a toll on the country’s export capacity amid warnings the supply chain snarl-up is comparable to the blockage of the Suez Canal
Supply chain chaos at Chinese ports, the politics of China's pitch for a Hamburg terminal stake, and why shipping may not be able to swerve the new push for a global corporation tax

Force majeure declared as COVID-hit ship returns to Italy | Container Management
Evergreen’s Ital Libera is headed for Italy two months after the death of its Italian captain as Asian port authorities refuse to accept the ship that was hit with an outbreak of COVID-19.

Cosco Shipping Shares Jump to Highest Level in More Than a Decade | Market Watch
Cosco Shipping Holdings Co.'s shares jumped to their highest level in more than a decade on Thursday, extending steep gains this year on expectations of high container-shipping rates amid strong demand and a lingering ship bottleneck in southern China.
 

 

10.06.2021

Abandoned crew languish as cases drag on | Lloyd’s List
Only 27% of cases linked to abandonment have been resolved, a joint industry database shows, while one third are unresolved and an even larger percentage are being disputed
The International Transport Workers' Federation has recovered $45m in owed wages last year alone; a significant sum given the challenges

One crew member dies in coronavirus outbreak on bulker off Spain | Lloyd’s List
One crew member has died while seven others have been infected by coronavirus on a Pavimar bulker off Spain
According to Lloyds List Intelligence, prior to the death of sailor and illness onboard, the bulker made a short stop at Kaloi Limenes anchorage in Crete

AMOSUP opens facilities for seafarer vaccination | Manila Times
The vaccination program for Filipino seafarers will start rolling out this month with the Association of Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) opening its facilities nationwide as the venue of inoculation.

With Private Support, India Provides COVID Vaccinations for Seafarers | Maritime Executive
As India works to overcome a recent devastating second wave of COVID-19 the government working with private organizations is working to accelerate vaccination efforts for seafarers and other critical segments of the population. Recognizing India’s important role in providing crew to all segments of the maritime industry the goal is to provide vaccinations before seafarers' next scheduled deployment.

Victoria to face port strikes just as lockdown ends | Financial Review
Wharfies are planning to launch more than a week of strikes at the Port of Melbourne just a day after the city emerges from lockdown restrictions, threatening supplies for the already battered economy. 

Crew change challenge peaks with dead captain stuck on board ship for months | Shipping Watch
Almost two months have passed since an Italian captain died aboard an Evergreen ship. But the ship has since been denied access to several Asian ports due to Covid-19 infection. As a result, it has proven impossible to get the captain home.

Where do liabilities lie in maritime incidents and do flag states matter? | CNA
SINGAPORE: As Sri Lanka deals with its worst marine ecological disaster after the sinking of a Singapore-registered container ship, questions have been raised about who bears the responsibilities in maritime incidents. 

Why Nautilus backs global minimum tax for shipping | Lloyd’s List
Shipping has long been a low-tax industry and demands for a global minimum corporation tax could have a profound effect on some owners. But officers’ union Nautilus believes the measure is essential for fairness
‘A global minimum tax would erode the business model of flags of convenience and encourage companies to base themselves and their ships in bona fide flag states,’ writes Mark Dickinson.

China ports throughput hit by supply chain chaos | Lloyd’s List
Containers handled by China’s eight leading gateway ports rose just 4% year on year in May 21-31, versus a double-digit growth seen in the first 20 days of the month
The supply side disruption, including the coronavirus-led port congestion in Southern China, is taking a toll on the country’s export capacity. Analysts expect freight rates to shoot up further

Shipping needs its regulator to show up | Lloyd’s List
Shipping needs decisions from the International Maritime Organization this week on key issues such as short-term emissions measures, a $5bn R&D fund and a structure for future market-based measure negotiations
The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting, being held this week, has an opportunity to demonstrate why shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions require global solutions. To do this, it needs to act decisively and spend its time wisely.

09.06.2021

Lives are being lost while crewing crisis drags on, Anglo-Eastern chief says | Lloyd’s List
Webinar told ships with bodies on board have been refused entry to ports, to their crews’ great distress, while other crew are unable to leave ships to visit dying loved ones
Anglo-Eastern chief executive Bjorn Hojgaard told a crewing webinar 18 of his company’s 30,000 seafarers had died in recent months, with an average age of 37

‘Tip of the iceberg’: Crew abandonment cases hit new high, many still going unreported | Splash 247
While shipping may have been enjoying improved fortunes of late, the scourge of crew abandonment shows no sign of easing. Indeed, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reported yesterday that the number of cases reported to the International Labour Organization has set a new record.

Shipping warned not to ignore safety in sustainability push | Lloyd’s List
Industry leaders believe seafarer safety must not be ignored in the push for sustainable shipping. The safety of the new fuels is paramount but there is much work still to be done
Shipping is facing intense pressure to comply with decarbonisation targets but ‘the Greta Thunbergs of this world’ are likely to call for a shortening of timelines, a webinar discussion heard

Pushing boundaries for Filipina seafarers | Manila Times
"I want to use my voice and this platform to strengthen the workforce of Filipina seafarers in the Philippine maritime industry. It is high time that society accepts that being female is not a weak gender. We may have different strengths, but our differences do not diminish our merits," she concluded.

Yantian ‘contagion’ will spread around the world | Lloyd’s List
The ripple effects from the congestion at southern China’s main export hub will put further pressure on a fragile supply chain
Cargo is building up at Yantian as carriers cancel calls to the port and its neighbours. This latest test of resilience will then trickle down to destination terminals when cargo is released
 

07.06.2021

‘Tip of the iceberg’: ITF inspectors recover $45m in seafarers’ wages amidst record-high abandonments | ITF Seafarers
New figures released by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) show that $44,613,880 USD of owed wages were recovered for seafarers by the ITF’s network of inspectors across the world last year.

Poor packing of dangerous goods implicated in X-Press Pearl fire | Lloyd’s List
Better adherence to the CTU Code could help prevent the almost weekly incidence of boxship blazes
Regulations for the carriage of dangerous goods are well established. But even if they are declared, poorly packed containers can lead to disastrous consequences

Speed and control will be key to Ever Given dispute | Lloyd’s List
Court hearing into Suez Canal blocking will need to determine who was in control of the vessel at the time of the grounding
Ever Given was travelling above the Suez Canal’s speed limit when it grounded. But weather conditions made higher speeds necessary for control, but also carried greater risk

Successful crew change comes from years of hard graft | Lloyd’s List
Transferring seafarers from their ship to the airport in Europe requires regular communication with immigration authorities and never giving up, says Boers Crew Services director Hans Boers
No one is listening to calls for seafarers to be seen as key workers, Hans Boers believes. The best way to get seafarers back home is to dig into many years of crew-change experience

Port states raise concerns about crew change breaches | Lloyd’s List
Secretary-general Luc Smulders said the increase raised safety concerns. European shipowners have called for more seafarer vaccinations and exemptions from travel curbs
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control said the share of deficiencies over seafarer employment agreements rose 58% from 2019 to 2020, in a year when inspections plunged because of the coronavirus pandemic

Shipowners will soon face taxes as well as death | Lloyd’s List
Pressure for global minimum corporation tax now looks irresistible. Shipping doesn’t need specific exemption, but it’s time to scrap secretive accountancy practices that contribute to its hole-in-the-corner reputation
If the industry is effectively in the same tax bracket as substantial trucking outfits or high-street retail chains, the matter could be put beyond doubt by publishing the proof

Yantian Port congestion spreads into nearby hubs | Lloyd’s List
Containerships are gathering in the Daya Bay and Wanshan Archipelago areas, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, as major Chinese ports in the region, such as Shekou and Nansha, are being clogged by a shift of traffic from Yantian
Maersk says it expects continued terminal congestion and vessel delays ‘upwards of 14 days in the coming week’

Ferry Runs Aground in Brooklyn, Injuring a Crew Member | New York Times
A Seastreak ferry with about 100 on board ran aground near Bushwick Inlet Park in Brooklyn on Saturday, officials said.

Nearly all Australia’s container ports are amongst the worst-performing container ports in the world | Port Strategy
Shipping Australia said this is the only conclusion that can be drawn from a recent assessment of comparable container port performance released by the World Bank, in association with IHS Markit.

Quick-thinking ferry crew members rescued two people from the sea | Press and Journal
Crew members of the Hoy Head have been commended after rescuing two people in distress from the sea.

Ukrainian Captain Held in Sri Lanka for Six Years Without a Charge | Maritime Executive
Captain Gennadiy Gavrylov, the former master of the floating armory Avant Garde, has returned home after six years of detention in Sri Lanka, according to the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU).

Greek seafarers’ strike against abolition of 8-hour day cripples ferry services | Morning Star
GREEK seafarers crippled ferry services to the nation’s many islands today as they took strike action in defiance of a court order.

US dockers and campaigners block Israeli ship in solidarity with Palestine | Socialist Worker
Activists in the US forced an Israeli cargo ship to turn around on Saturday and have vowed they will not stop before it is gone for good.

Tesla works with global shipping company to digitize data and “stabilize logistics networks” | Teslarati
Tesla is helping Chinese state-owned company COSCO Shipping digitize its vast shipping data. COSCO has agreed to share shipping data with Tesla so the EV maker can test the system in the Chinese company’s Shanghai port.

04.06.2021

Strike disrupts Greek ferry services | Express & Star
Union members blockaded the entrance to ferries in the main port of Piraeus, preventing anyone from boarding.

Belgium Starts EU’s First Seafarer COVID Vaccinations  | Maritime Executive
Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to launch a program to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers. The effort, which began on June 1, joins a growing number of countries that are launching programs to make the inoculations available to the maritime community.

First cruise ship sails through Venice since start of pandemic | Dorset Echo
Early risers in Venice were surprised to see a cruise ship heading down the Giudecca canal for the first time since the start of the pandemic, despite repeated government pledges to reroute such huge vessels due to safety and environmental concerns.

X-Press Pearl blaze shines spotlight on boxship fires | Lloyd’s List
Insurers say increased incidence of blazes on container vessels could be a function of increasing size, and that regulations are neither tough enough nor specific enough
‘With a given probability of a fire starting in one container, the probability of a fire starting in at least one of the containers will grow in almost direct proportion to the number of containers,’ says Cefor report

OOCL boxship collides with berth in Taiwan | Lloyd’s List
The 8,540 teu OOCL Durban knocked down one dockside crane and caused serious damage to another, according to a port statement
One crane worker had a cut to his arm, while two others were trapped inside the damaged crane but were rescued later without injury. Operations at the affected berth have been suspended

Campaign aims to keep seafarers' livelihoods afloat during coronavirus hardships | Global Sisters Report
Invisible to those ashore yet instrumental in keeping afloat the comforts of daily life, seafarers have long seeped through the cracks as they straddle worlds and identities.

Maersk launches emissions analytics tool | Lloyd’s List
Emissions dashboard consolidates data to help disclose emissions to find opportunities for carbon cuts, or to provide data for sustainability reports
Maersk has launched an emissions analytics tool for its biggest customers to calculate the emissions from their supply chains, in response to pressure on companies for more green disclosures
 

03.06.2021

X-Press Pearl sinking after salvage efforts fail | Lloyd’s List
The fully cellular containership that caught fire on May 20 off Sri Lanka appears to be sinking after salvage efforts to move the ship to deeper waters failed
Operator X-Press Feeders says the vessel’s aft portion is ‘now touching bottom’ while smoke continues to emanate from two cargo holds

87% of seafarers still to receive a first vaccine according to initial results of BMA mental health survey | Hellenic Shipping News
The Seafarer COVID-19 Welfare Survey announced recently by The Bahamas Maritime Authority has already garnered very high levels of support from maritime organisations and seafarers themselves. But the initial responses received from seafarers are demonstrating that the vast majority, 87%, are still to receive a first vaccine.

Stranded seafarers: an unfolding humanitarian crisis | Dev Policy Blog
Closures of international borders due to COVID-19 have affected migrant workers globally, both on land and sea. This blog examines the plight of international seafarers who have been caught by COVID-19 travel restrictions and outlines some recent efforts to assist them.

Brazil bans disembarkation of international crew at its ports | Seatrade Maritime News
Brazil’s federal government has restricted the arrival in the country of foreign seafarers working onboard vessels or platforms to prevent the circulation of new Covid-19 strains in the country.

Record Ban for Bulk Carrier After Appalling Crew Conditions Found Aboard | Handy Shipping Guide
AUSTRALIA – Officials at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) described conditions aboard a Panama flagged bulk carrier as 'unbearable' as they issued a three year ban on the vessel entering the country's waters following one of the longest detentions of a foreign ship there.

PRRD inclined to give western-made vax to seafarers | Philippine Canadian Inquirer
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he is “inclined” to approve calls to provide western-made Covid-19 vaccines to Filipino seafarers if required for work.

Hundreds of fishing fleets that go ‘dark’ suspected of illegal hunting, study finds | The Guardian
Vessels primarily from China switch off their tracking beacons to evade detection while they engage in possible illegal fishing

Weekly Briefing: Tankers ‘Groundhog day’ | Dry eyes higher earnings | Backlogs and burning boxes fail to hold back rates | Lloyd’s List
Chinese policy, strikes, port delays and expectations for higher iron ore exports out of Brazil makes short-term predictions tough for dry bulk, but as key global economies recover from lockdown conditions, strong demand for dry bulk commodities will likely translate into higher earnings. Similarly in containers it seems nothing can hold back the sky-high earnings. No such luck for the energy shippers. In the tanker sector the optimists are talking a good game, but the needle has barely moved for crude and product tanker rates.

Biden global minimum tax push could take in major shipowners | Lloyd’s List
US-backed plans for a global minimum corporation tax could force larger shipping companies to pay tax bills similar to those levied on other major industries for the first time ever
‘I’m a tax lawyer, so I’m used to complicated stuff. This proposal is outrageously complicated. It really is redesigning how global tax has worked for a long time,’ says law firm partner.

Laskaridis quits Union of Greek Shipowners amid ‘Black Trail’ fallout | Lloyd’s List
A furore stoked by a leading owner’s comments in a controversial recent expose of shipping is rumbling on
In a letter of resignation on Tuesday, Panos Laskaridis made it plain he was outraged that his patriotism had, in effect, been called into question

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25.05.2021

Oxygen concentrators sent to India to save seafarers’ lives | ITF Seafarers  Hundreds of lives will be saved thanks to two new emergency projects being funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and delivered through two Indian-based seafarers’ unions.

Argentina braces for another ports strike | Argus Media  Argentina's ports are bracing for another labor strike after recovering from back-to-back strikes last week that paralyzed shipping throughout most of the country.

India's east coast ports brace for `very severe cyclonic storm’ | Lloyd’s List  The `very severe cyclonic storm’ could bring winds of up to 165kmh, the India Meteorological Department has said. Ports on India's eastern coast have advised vessels to vacate anchorages ahead of a cyclonic storm which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday

Often overlooked Port of Savannah seafarers given the chance to be vaccinated | WTOC  As vaccinations continue in the Coastal Empire, new efforts are under way to expand their reach to those coming in and out of our community. Monday a new partnership boarded a ship in the Savannah River for this reason, to turn the corner on COVID-19.

Port Arthur Strike Team taking vaccinations to homebound residents, seafarers in need | PA News  Crewmembers on a liquefied petroleum gas tanker bound for the Port of Gibraltar are vaccinated thanks to efforts from the Port Arthur Health Department and the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center.

Egyptian court rejects Ever Given owner’s appeal against detention | Lloyd’s List  An Egyptian court has rejected an appeal by the Japanese owner of containership Ever Given against the vessel’s detention in the Suez Canal, where it blocked traffic for six days in March after becoming grounded. A further hearing will be held on May 29, UK P&I club says, as the legal battle to release the vessel continues 

How To Address Piracy In The Gulf Of Guinea And Protect Seafarers | Hellenic Shipping News  The threat is real and persistent. Gulf of Guinea piracy has evolved from near-shore robbery to open sea piracy and the violent kidnapping of crew members for ransom. In 2020, 136 seafarers were abducted at gunpoint, held for weeks and months, suffering serious injury to their physical and mental wellbeing. This year, we are seeing an even steeper increase in the frequency and ruthlessness of the attacks unleashed on shipping.

Boom in ships that fly ‘fake’ flags and trash the environment | Nature  The number of ships using a ‘flag of convenience’ loophole that allows them to be scrapped in a place with lax environmental regulations is skyrocketing.

Confidential report deems Maersk's port contract in Ghana harmful | Shipping Watch  Maersk believes the contract creates great value for the country. A.P. Moeller-Maersk's port business and French transportation company Bolloré Group are involved in a port contract in Tema, Ghana, which, according to a confidential report from the country's Ministry of Transport, has a detrimental effect on the country, writes business media Finans.

Legal worries are unnecessary roadblocks for climate action at the IMO | Lloyd’s List  The road to progressive shipping climate policy at the International Maritime Organization ultimately comes down to political will. Agreeing climate measures at the IMO has been slow going, with the law thrown up as a regular roadblock. But according to Aoife O’Leary, International Climate director at the Environmental Defense Fund Europe and Michael Prehn, representative of the Solomon Islands to the IMO, legal worries are not a barrier to urgent climate action.

 Portuguese flag aims to continue rise with opening of new Greek branch | Lloyd’s List  Managers of the country’s international registry say full digitalisation has proved an advantage during the pandemic. Greek market is ‘potentially the biggest and most important’ for the International Shipping Register of Madeira, according to regional executive director Carla Olival.

Allsalt Maritime introduces new shock monitoring systems for safer operations at sea | PR Newswire  Allsalt Maritime is pleased to announce the launch of four new Kinetix models, each designed to provide easily assimilated guidance for maritime professionals to operate safely within designated shock and vibration exposure limits, reducing the risk of damage to vessels or injury to occupants.

24.05.2021

Global vaccine rollout needed to stop crew crisis third wave | ITF Seafarers Seafarers’ unions today challenged governments, particularly those with maritime responsibilities, to endorse universal access to Covid-19 vaccines to prevent the crew change crisis from spiraling out of control for a third time.

US vaccine programmes offer hope for seafarers | Lloyd’s List  More seafarers are being vaccinated in or near US ports with the help of maritime charities as drive is widened to non-American workers. Meanwhile, the International Transport Workers’ Federation has called for universal access to vaccines to prevent the crew change crisis from spiralling out of control for a third time.

Vaccination Efforts Accelerate for Seafarers | Maritime Executive  Efforts to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers are continuing to accelerate while the unions continue to call for efforts to make the vaccines more widely available. Developed nations around the globe are responding to the calls to make the vaccine more widely available to include crew members from all countries and some efforts are even going on to the ships to administer the vaccine.

UPDATE 2-ARGENTINA'S KEY GRAINS PORT SNARLED AFTER STRIKE OVER VACCINE ACCESS | Reuters  BUENOS AIRES, May 21 (Reuters) - Argentina's main grains port of Rosario was snarled on Friday in the aftermath of a 48-hour strike by tugboat captains and other workers managing the flow of agricultural cargo ships, who are demanding access to COVID-19 vaccines, port authorities said.

Yantian Port operations affected by coronavirus | Lloyd’s List Hutchison Ports said operations at the west part of Yantian port, including three terminals, have been suspended pending disinfection. The port’s remaining 17 terminals are unaffected. Infected stevedores were found at the west part of the key gateway port, where three of the 20 deepwater terminals have seen their operation suspended for thorough disinfection, according to the main operator at Yantian, Hutchison Ports.

Israel: Ravenna dockers say they won't load weapons | Ansa  (ANSA) - ROME, MAY 21 - Italy's three big trade union confederations said Friday that workers in the port of Ravenna will refuse to load any eventual "weapons, explosives or other materials of war that could fuel the conflict between Israel and Hamas".

Durban dockers refuse to unload Zim ship over Palestine conflict | Trade Winds  Israeli-chartered vessel targeted by South Africa's Trade and Allied Workers Union.

IMO Calls for Redoubled Efforts to Combat West African Piracy | Maritime Executive  The global maritime community is calling for enhanced efforts to tackle the rising menace of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea with the adoption of new IMO resolutions on increased collaboration.

Indian ports on east coast restrict activities ahead of cyclone | WTVB  CHENNAI/BHUBANESWAR (Reuters) – Ports on India’s eastern coast on Sunday restricted shipping activities and asked vessels to vacate anchorages ahead of a cyclonic storm expected to make landfall on Wednesday, port authorities and trade sources said.

Indian seafarers left in limbo as coronavirus restrictions create chaos in shipping industry | SCMP  Difficulties securing vaccines mean seafarers face job losses as well as obstacles to returning home after finishing contracts. Overworked crew members have been forced to stay on board even after their contracts expired due to a lack of crew change options

Kenya's Lamu Port is Complete, But its Value Remains an Open Question | Maritime Executive  Kenya’s newest mega infrastructure project, the Lamu port, has received its first ship. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Jan Bachmann and Benard Musembi – who study the environmental, socio-economic and security dynamics along the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor – to provide insights into the history of the port, the opportunities it presents and the concerns around it.

Taiwan extends entry leeway for foreign wind crew | Lloyd’s List  Crew requiring emergency medical care are eligible for exemptions from new entry restrictions imposed to support efforts in containing the latest surge in Taiwan’s coronavirus infections

Taiwan’s new entry policy will call on shipowners exposed to its offshore wind sector to rethink their crewing and crew change strategies

Ferries watchdog warns west coast chaos is costing island jobs | Sunday Post  Jobs are being lost due to the chaos on Scotland’s west coast ferries, the head of Caledonian MacBrayne’s own community watchdog has warned.

Suez Canal’s claim over once-stuck ship referred by court | ABC News  An Egyptian appeals court says it lacks jurisdiction to look into the Suez Canal Authority’s demands to uphold financial claims that led to the seizure of the cargo ship that blocked the waterway in March

Captain of Tugboat That Sank Off in Cyclone Tauktae Found Dead in Valsad, 6 Other Bodies Found | News 18  Barge P305 sank during the Cyclone Tauktae fury last Monday and was located on the seabed on Saturday, a Navy spokesperson earlier said.

Crew on Cruise Ships Want Better Internet | Cruise Industry News  Having an acceptable quality of WiFi onboard has long been a bugbear for passengers. After all, providing a successful internet experience for anything between 100 and several thousand guests is no mean feat. But what about crew members?

Fishing for a fight or better economic well-being? | Manila Times  Higher fisheries yield in and lower poverty incidence among frontline provinces facing the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or the South China Sea (SCS) defy the portrayal of state abandonment of the Filipino fisherfolk. New opportunities in aquaculture and marine ecotourism also hold promise. Growth in other sectors, such as manufacturing and services are also providing high-paying alternatives from this humble livelihood. All these suggest that the lot of common fisherfolk in the country's western seaboard is improving, although much remains to be done.

New rules to protect fisheries sector from foreign domination | Sunday Times  The Government has passed regulations to ensure that any entity engaged in the export, import and re-export of fish and fishery products has a majority Sri Lankan shareholding after observing a trend of foreign interest in the industry.

The Lloyd’s List Podcast: Shipping’s quiet corruption revolution | Lloyd’s List  Despite its reputation for opaque business practice, the shipping industry has, over the past decade, been going through a quietly effective anti-corruption revolution. The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network now represents over 50% of the global fleet and commands serious leverage when tackling systemic corruption wherever it finds it. Joining the podcast this week is MACN’s chief executive Cecilia Müller Torbrand

 

20.05.2021

Around 90 people missing after barge sinks in Arabian sea | Lloyd’s List
After being caught in Cyclone Tauktae, the barge sank with 273 people onboard. So far, 184 people have been rescued but high waves are hampering rescue efforts
Though the eye of the cyclone is slowly disintegrating, the storm has not significantly weakened

Grounding seen as biggest cause of bulk carrier losses | Lloyd’s List
In the past decade grounding was cited as the single biggest cause for bulk carrier losses, according to shipowners’ association Intercargo
There were 128 lives lost in all bulker incidents in the 10 years to 2020, compared with 173 in the previous reporting period

Europe still open to seafarers | Splash 247
Seafarers around the world can still travel to Europe to join vessels – even from countries facing fresh Covid-19 outbreaks such as India, where daily cases hit more than 300,000 in mid-May.

Landmark deal will help to protect seafarers' welfare | Harwich and Manningtree Standard
A LANDMARK agreement has been signed to boost the welfare of seafarers and fishers around the UK, including those visiting Harwich International Port.
 

18.05.2021

The real reason why there are so few female seafarers | Lloyd’s List
It is usually thought there are hardly any women serving at sea because men have blocked their progress. The real reason is probably less antagonistic: female teachers do not know the career exists
The transformation of shipping is likely to demand new skills for which women are much better suited. For this reason, it is expected that more women will be employed in a maritime career in future

Shipping calls to suppress piracy in Gulf of Guinea Declaration | Lloyd’s List
BIMCO says the causes of piracy from the Niger Delta will not go away. But believes the international community has banded together to suppress piracy before, and can do so again
More than 120 shipping companies, trade groups and flag states have signed the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on Suppression of Piracy to demand stronger action in west Africa

SRI: UN Seafarers' Rights Initiative Must be Backed up by Enforcement | Maritime Executive 
Seafarers' Rights International (SRI), the maritime legal research organization based in London, is warning that unscrupulous vessel operators could avoid compliance and attempt to undercut the competition if maritime human rights standards are not properly enforced.

Italian dock workers refuse to aid arms shipment to Israeli regime | Press TV
Dock workers in western Italy have reportedly planned to withhold their cooperation with a weapon shipment process aimed at further armament of the Israeli regime amid its bloodletting in the Gaza Strip.

Philippines bans international crew change for vessels arriving from seven countries | Seatrade Maritime News
The Philippines has joined a growing list of countries that is banning crew change for foreign seafarers vessels that have called at Indian sub-continent nations in the previous 14 days as well some Middle East countries.

MHSS: Seafarers Need Mental Health Support Before Boarding | Maritime Executive
Shipping companies have a duty of care to prepare their crew psychologically and physically before letting them board a vessel, according to the head of Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), a Hamburg-based startup which provides a 24/7 hotline for crewmembers to speak confidentially to clinical psychologists.

Maersk wants global phased-in market-based measure agreed by 2025 | Lloyd’s List
The company believes a phased-in approach will be necessary and warned that all forms of greenhouse gases, lifecycle emission assessments of fuels and shorter-term global warming horizons should be considered in policy-making
The carrier believes the European Union should give the IMO until 2025 to agree on a market based measure, before expanding its emissions trading system from purely domestic to international voyages  

Semi-virtual hearings here to stay, says leading arbitrator | Lloyd’s List
There are pros and cons to settling disputes online, but positives largely outweigh negatives, webinar organised by two top shipping law firms hears
Semi-virtual hearings represent the future of maritime arbitration in UK capital, with document-only decisions also likely to become more common, according to recent past president of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association
 

17.05.2021

Nations step up vaccinations to boost crew change programmes | Lloyd’s List
InterManager needs a recognised governmental body to place and receive the $22m order under international law — hitting the same wall other industry groups have faced in recent months
Employers are planning virus testing hotels in India to restart crew changes. InterManager struggles to receive approval to buy 1m Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The International Chamber of Shipping unveils vaccines road map to hasten seafarer jabs. Netherlands and Belgium to vaccinate in ports

The Covid crew crisis – Is there a light at the end of this tunnel? | Hellenic Shipping News
Alice Amundsen heads up Gard’s global People claims area. This group is responsible for handling the thousands of crew claims received each year from Gard’s membership. We caught up with her to share some of her insights which provide a snapshot of Gard’s experience to date with the Covid crew crisis and the challenges moving forward with crew vaccination.

Onboard connectivity critical for crew welfare, reveals latest Seafarers Happiness Index | Hellenic Shipping News
As part of the Standard Club’s continuing commitment to safety at sea and focus on seafarer wellbeing, this year the Club has partnered with the Mission to Seafarers, alongside Wallem Group to support the 2021 Seafarers Happiness Index report.

India's COVID crisis hits global shipping industry hard | DW
India is one of the biggest providers of seafarers for the shipping industry. But the nation's COVID wave has sparked travel curbs and restrictions on Indian crews, sending shipping firms scrambling to find replacements.

Netherlands Will Vaccinate Seafarers Working on Dutch Ships | Maritime Executive
Seafaring organizations have been highlighting the challenge of vaccinating seafarers during the pandemic calling for special programs and considerations that recognize their role as key workers in the global supply chain. Responding to the need, the Netherlands announced that starting in mid-June all seafarers regardless of nationality who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations under a program managed by the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR).

Maritime Union Wins a Small Victory as Foreign Crews to Get Vaccinations | Handy Shipping Guide
AUSTRALIA – In an Australian-first, NSW Health will provide Covid-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers on board vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) sees this initiative as a small win having campaigned relentlessly for increased Covid-19 measures, but finds that more needs to be done to protect seafarers in the ongoing pandemic.
 

Maritime Unions Address Jones Act Waiver: ‘Could Have Been Worse’ | G Captain
We’re hearing from maritime unions and other stakeholders regarding the Jones Act waiver that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has issued to help alleviate fuel supply issues along the eastern seaboard in wake of the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline.

FEATURE: Enhancing Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Amid Global Absence | Leadership NG
Since the death of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), 16 years ago, Nigeria as a maritime hub has lost fortunes to the absence of a national shipping line but NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) seems to be filing the gap. YUSUF BABALOLA writes.
 

14.05.2021

IMO’s Kitack Lim urges fair vaccine distribution for seafarers | Hellenic Shipping News
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has called on all IMO Member States to support a fair global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, beyond fulfilling their national needs, to ensure seafarers can access vaccines.

Australian-first Covid vaccinations for foreign seafarers in Port Botany | Splash 247
In an Australian-first, New South Wales Health will provide Covid-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community.

Ship managers pause crew changes of Indian seafarers as nation grapples with Covid-19 | Trade Winds
India's punishing Covid-19 crisis has added to a mountain of challenges for ship managers carrying out crew changes — with some choosing to avoid employing the country's seafarers and others seeking to overcome the hurdles of taking them on.

Netherlands Will Vaccinate Seafarers Working on Dutch Ships | Maritime Executive
Seafaring organizations have been highlighting the challenge of vaccinating seafarers during the pandemic calling for special programs and considerations that recognize their role as key workers in the global supply chain. Responding to the need, the Netherlands announced that starting in mid-June all seafarers regardless of nationality who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations under a program managed by the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR).

16 U.S. states take lead in international seafarer vaccinations | Marine Log
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reports that, to date, 16 states in the U.S. have begun vaccination programs for foreign-national crews of ships delivering goods to their ports.

Rampant fishing industry abuses dull Taiwan's rights record | France 24
Taiwan's lucrative fishing industry has come under fire for subjecting its migrant workforce to forced labour and other abuses, contrasting with the government's promotion of the democratic island as a regional human rights beacon.

Condor Ferries reduces services to France | BBC
Condor Ferries has reduced its services to France for the upcoming season.
"Day trips have not been prioritised" at the first stage of restarting of passenger services, a Condor Ferries spokesperson said.

Shipping's digitalisation requires trust and collaboration to succeed | Lloyd’s List
The role of data in the transformation of shipping is critical but the significance of the human element must not be overlooked. Without trust between parties, digital solutions will fall short of achieving potential
Ship agents could find a new responsibility in making transformation accessible to all the port community. Companies with a global perspective and local insight are well placed to drive transformation

Maersk seeks a sustainable box shipping model | Lloyd’s List
With its intentions now set on integrating container logistics, Maersk is moving its focus from the cyclical container shipping sector to secure better returns
Maersk built its scale on the back of its container shipping business. With its new logistics integrator model, ocean freight will now play a support role to its wider ambitions
 

07.05.2021

No more excuses for global brands as new tool launched in fight to resolve crew change crisis  | ITF Seafarers
The world’s seafarers’ unions say the world’s biggest brands have no excuse not to audit their supply chains and issue directives to suppliers on crew change, now that a new human rights due diligence toolkit has been launched today.

UN task force should probe why governments failed to fulfill obligations to seafarers during pandemic | ITF Seafarers
Shipowners and seafarers’ representatives have asked the United Nations to establish an interagency task force to examine the implementation and practical application of the MLC, 2006 during the pandemic, including its impact on seafarers’ fundamental rights and on the shipping industry.

Stranded crew data reveals extent of changeover crisis | Lloyd’s List
The first Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator shows 5.8% of seafarers were on board vessels beyond the expiry of their contracts of employment
Managers warned that the seemingly low percentages shown by the indicator by no means signals the end of the crew change storm. And ‘2021 is set to be worse than the past year’

Role of seafarers in keeping the world moving is unrecognised | Lloyd’s List
As the maritime industry works to tackle the crew change issue, governments have still not responded to the humanitarian crisis
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management chief says despite all the good shipping is doing for the world, the world does not understand the plight of the individuals who serve on board.

Calls Grow for Vaccine Priority for Maritime Workers | Marine Log
With both the United Nations and the U.S. saying maritime workers are essential, it’s important that we ask whether those workers should be prioritized before the general, less-at-risk population. As of now, it looks as though it may be up to shipping bodies to push for national governments to make that happen. 

Crew change crisis tipped to be worse than last year | Splash 247
With many of the world’s top hub ports raising barriers to anyone who has been to South Asia recently there are growing concerns that the crew change crisis could roar back to levels seen in the middle of last year.

New Indicator Seeks to Quantify and Inform Crew Change Crisis | Maritime Executive 
More than a year after the global shipping industry came together to highlight the plight of seafarers and the challenges to global trade due to the pandemic, the crew change crisis remains unresolved and has the potential to grow worse according to new information from a collaboration of industry leaders. They point to a resurgence of the virus in shipping centers, such as the current crisis on the Indian subcontinent, which led many jurisdictions to ban Indian crewmembers or seafarers who had traveled in those regions.

Unions And Employers Agree That Coastal Shipping Is An Opportunity | Scoop NZ
“Coastal shipping is ready to accept any challenges from Government and the unions when it comes to increasing the role of coastal shipping in the Kiwi supply chain” said Clive Glover, President of the NZ Shipping Federation today. “We want to work with the government and the unions to remove impediments to and encourage the use of coastal ships.” 

Shipping unites to create $1M target emergency relief fund in response to COVID-19 seafarer crisis | Helsinki Times
Leading seafarer welfare charities and shipping industry players have launched an emergency relief fund in order to support seafarers and their families devastated by the rampant COVID-19 pandemic in India and other countries. 

Plymouth tugboat crews call four-day strike as roster row escalates | Business Live
Union says workers will walk out for 96 hours in long-running dispute which has already seen two on-day strikes at Devonport naval base

Voith to unveil new system for remote control of tugboats | Marine Log
Voith will showcase a new system for remotely controlling tugboats in a live streamed simulation at Germany’s upcoming 12th National Maritime Conference, being held virtually May 10-11.

French fishers threaten to blockade Jersey ports as row escalates | The Guardian
Move comes as France threatens to cut off electricity to island in row over post-Brexit licences for fishing boats
French fishers are threatening to blockade the ports in the Channel Islands in an escalation of a post-Brexit row in which the French maritime minister has backed calls to cut off Jersey’s electricity supply.
 

 

06.05.2021

Global crew changes paralysed by pandemic ‘chaos’ | Lloyd’s List
Crew-nationality arbitrage emerges to give preference to ‘easy-to-move’ seafarers as shortages loom and coronavirus cases rise, as new strains defy testing protocols
‘Crew logistics has almost come to a halt, the challenges are intractable,’ says leading shipmanager

World’s Biggest Brands Adopt Checklist to Rescue Seafarers | Bloomberg
Unilever Plc and other big retail brands are among consumer giants adopting a toolkit to audit their shipping supply chains in an effort to help bring seafarers stuck on commercial vessels back home and eliminate human rights risks.

Shipping industry backs seafarer emergency fund for India | Lloyd’s List
Indian seafarers at sea and at home are facing an unprecedented crisis that demands an unprecedented response, according to Ardmore Shipping’s Mark Cameron
Shipping industry groups join coordinated effort by seafarer charities to raise funds to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus crisis on India’s seafarers and their families

Maritime Union Says Coastal Shipping Must Complement Rail And Road | Scoop NZ
The Maritime Union says the Government’s announcement today of major investment in rail is a positive move, and is urging more action on coastal shipping.

Potential Impact of Indian Crew Suspension | Cruise Industry News
The industry impact on crewing following Royal Caribbean Group’s temporary suspension of hiring Indian crew due to the COVID-19 situation in the country depends on whether other cruise lines follow suit and when India is deemed “safe.”

Stakeholder self-interest is damaging industry progress | Lloyd’s List
The coronavirus pandemic has affected shipping in many ways, one of which has been to force companies, associations and organisations to turn inwards. The need is for industry-wide collaboration
The dire situation for Indian seafarers has prompted charities and leading industry players to set up an emergency relief fund. This initiative reflects an urgent need for shipping to think as one

Maersk posts record first-quarter earnings | Lloyd’s List
Underlying profits for the quarter were only just below those achieved in the whole of 2020
An exceptional market situation continues to drive demand and freight rates during a period of bottlenecks and shortages. The disruptions are set to continue into the fourth quarter

Shipowners call for EU–India scrapping deal | Lloyd’s List
ECSA said it was an ‘illusion’ that all EU-flagged vessels could be recycled in Europe and barring Indian yards from the market would remove their incentive to improve conditions. European shipowners urged the EU to help lift living and working standards at South Asian beaches, rather than trying to force owners to use costlier European yards. They call for a bilateral deal so compliant yards can join the bloc’s green list.

05.05.2021

5 large ships quarantined at Spanish ports | Anadolu Agency
Several sailors hospitalized, officials studying how many crew members are infected with variant 1st found in India
Five large ships are quarantining at Spanish ports on Tuesday, after 26 crew members tested positive for the coronavirus and several needed to be hospitalized.

Seafarers' union 'fighting hard' for vaccinations as quarantined cargo ship stays anchored off N.L. | CBC
13 crew members aboard Federal Montreal have tested positive for COVID-19
The Seafarers' International Union of Canada says it's nearly impossible for crew members aboard cargo ships to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, as an outbreak aboard a massive cargo ship anchored off eastern Newfoundland shows the toll the pandemic is taking on workers.

Coronavirus outbreak on bulker off Canada | Lloyd’s List
The ship Federal Montreal was en route from Montreal to Tarragona, Spain. One man is in hospital, the other 13 of 19 Indian crew are on board
Thirteen crew have tested positive for coronavirus on a bulk carrier at Newfoundland. The local seafarers’ union said the case highlighted the difficulty of vaccinating crews

Indian seafarers feel the heat as vaccination drive suffer delay | The Hindu BusinessLine
Indian seafarers are being overlooked for jobs on ships as lack of vaccinated crew force global shipowners to tap other nationalities such as Bangladesh and Indonesia — who were given priority jabs by their governments — for crewing needs.

Indian seafarers face fresh challenges as Covid epidemic overwhelms the country | Seatrade Maritime News
Vaccination being made mandatory before joining ship is just one of the numerous challenges being faced by Indian seafarers as the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to overwhelm the country’s health infrastructure.

Raising seafarers’ plight to the world | Manila Times
In a time when tens of thousands of individuals stepped forward to hold the line of safety and survival in the face of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, one sector of essential workers seemed to have been forgotten by the world — the seafarers.

GMS defends Maersk scrapping record after Danish criticism | Lloyd’s List
Trade group Danish Shipping wants a bilateral deal between the EU and India to lift environment and safety standards at breakers’ yards in South Asia, where almost 90% of ships are recycled
Industry groups defend Maersk’s record on shipbreaking after Danish government says it will investigate the reflagging and recycling of four ships at Alang, India

Europe’s ports survive Suez surge | Lloyd’s List
Terminals pass through worst of box crunch but export equipment remains scarce
Congestion at Europe’s key hubs has not increased significantly because of the Suez Canal closure. But the relief was relative in an already highly disrupted supply chain
 

04.05.2021

It’s time to end oppression and respect workers’ civil liberties | ITF Seafarers
May Day is when workers of the world stop and reflect. We’re seeing so many human rights abuses — workers being denied their right to free association, free speech being suppressed. It is the responsibility of us all to defend our fundamental human rights.

Reimposing seafarer travel bans threatens global vaccination push | Lloyd’s List
The International Chamber of Shipping says requiring proof of vaccination before letting crews leave ships to return home will put seafarers in a Catch-22 scenario — unable to disembark until they are vaccinated, but not able to get vaccinated without leaving the vessel‘
We cannot continue to let the world’s 1.7m seafarers be collateral damage in the fight against the pandemic’ — International Chamber of Shipping

India’s worsening health crisis triggers fresh crew-change challenge | Lloyd’s List
‘Things are starting to go backwards,’ says ICS as Indian nationals are blocked from disembarking ships at countries used as key crew-change hubs or cannot fly out to board vessels and replace seafarers
About 30% of an estimated 80,000 Indian seafarers are stuck at home without an income as owners and managers work to extend existing contracts for those at sea

From the News Desk: India’s virus wave threatens crew-change progress | Lloyd’s List
India, despite its predicament, pledged to vaccinate seafarers in port. If India can, why can’t other countries?
Shipping figured out long ago how to change crews safely and things were looking up. But horrifying headlines from India this week have led even shipping-friendly governments to close their doors

Indian ports battle on during deadly Covid second wave | Seatrade Maritime News
The response of Indian ports to the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has been mixed between the private and public sector.

Singapore crew change ban extended to more sub-continent nations | Seatrade Maritime News
Following a recent travel and crew change ban for those with travel to India in the previous 14 days due to the country’s sharp spike in Covid -19 cases similar measures were announced at the weekend for those arriving Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Ever Given crew members whose work contracts have expired allowed to leave the impounded ship and return home | Markets Insider
Three crew members onboard the Ever Given container ship have been permitted to return home after their contracts expired, according to Reuters. 

Cyprus resolution for seafarer vaccination adopted by ILO | Seatrade Maritime News
A resolution for a global seafarers vaccination programme proposed by Cyprus has been officially adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The ILO calls for full respect of seafarers’ rights and for the vaccination of seafarers | Hellenic Shipping News
The ILO is calling on governments to treat seafarers as key workers and to cooperate to make vaccines available to them at the earliest opportunity, to allow them to pass through international borders and keep global supply chains moving.

Seafarers' union 'fighting hard' for vaccinations as quarantined cargo ship stays anchored off N.L. | CBC
13 crew members aboard Federal Montreal have tested positive for COVID-19
The Seafarers' International Union of Canada says it's nearly impossible for crew members aboard cargo ships to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, as an outbreak aboard a massive cargo ship anchored off eastern Newfoundland shows the toll the pandemic is taking on workers.

Ship-owners seek vaccinated crew as Covid cases surge in India | Business Line
Concerns over availability of vaccines and waiting time are adding to the job uncertainty of seafarers
 

Port of Montreal re-opens after legislation forces striking dockers back to work | AJOT
Operations began gradually returning to normal Saturday at the Port of Montreal after the Canadian federal government rushed through legislation late Friday forcing some 1,150 striking dockers back to work. Non-compliance by either dockers or port employers carried fines of up to C$100,000 a day. The bill also provides for the appointment of a mediator-arbitrator who will have the power to impose a binding new collective agreement within 90 days.

Canaveral becomes first US port to vaccinate cruise ship crew | Seatrade Cruise News
Cruise ship crew began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at Port Canaveral today, making it the first US port to facilitate vaccination for seafarers.

Australia’s maritime regulator bans sub-standard bulker | Lloyd’s List
The Australian Maritime Safety Agency has banned a bulker managed by a Turkish company and owned by Qataris from entering its ports for a period of 18 months
The Panama-flagged vessel had been detained in early March because important regular surveys had not been carried out, and for appalling working and living conditions on board.

Mozambique and Russia-Ukraine tensions prompt security concerns | Lloyd’s List
Mozambique was recently added to the Joint War Committee of insurers’ high-risk Listed Areas, while the Somali area has shrunk to reflect its lessened risk of attacks
Security analysts are wary of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and of continued risks in the Middle East — but mainly for vessels caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. West Africa is still the biggest risk area, despite a recent lull in piracy

Youth Workers’ Five-Point Call To Action Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic | Page One
In celebration of the Labor Day on May 1, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU)-Associated Philippine Seafarers Union (APSU) Youth called on national leaders to protect young workers who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crew union criticises shipowners for ILO pay freeze | Lloyd’s List
Shipowners’ offer of a $4 monthly increase was ‘an insult to the sacrifices of the seafarers, particularly in the pandemic’
The National Union of Seafarers of India condemned shipowners for the failure this week of talks in Geneva to raise the seafarers’ global minimum wage, branding their 3% offer ‘insulting’

Cosco port arm sells domestic assets on global expansion plan | Lloyd’s List
Cosco Shipping Ports says the sale is in line with its strategic planning to recycle capital and optimise domestic terminal portfolio while seeking expansion opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia
China’s port giant has sold equity interests in several domestic box terminals in the past year before signing off on the latest deal

Trapped Aboard an Abandoned Cargo Ship: One Sailor’s Four-Year Ordeal | Wall Street Journal
The MV Aman was seized near the Suez Canal in 2017. Years later, its chief mate was still on board, all alone.

Prevalence and associated factors of psychosocial distress among seafarers during COVID-19 pandemic | Doc Wire News
In the context of growing concerns about seafarers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of psychosocial distress among seafarers of ocean-going vessels during the current health emergency.

UK and Norway fail to reach fishing deal | BBC
The UK and Norway have failed to reach a fishing deal for this year, with the industry warning that hundreds of crew members will be left out of work.

Women are a mainstay of fishing in West Africa. But they get a raw deal | The Conversation
Throughout West Africa, the artisanal fishing sector is a crucial source of livelihoods and food security. For instance, in Nigeria artisanal fishing accounts for 80% of the fish consumed and supports the livelihoods of about 24 million people.

Illegal Fishing Is a National Security Problem | Defense One
The stability of countries and regions are threatened by the declining health of fish stocks, and by the groups and governments that run lawless fishing fleets.