The COVID-19 outbreak remains at the centre of attention, given that more and more countries report of positively confirmed cases. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued four transmission scenarios to help people be aware of the situation and know how to deal with the situation.

Seafaring is a profession that requires ranks and duties to be specific, so that everyone onboard will know what to do, as several procedures have to be conducted at the same time.

The Coronavirus outbreak has set the shipping industry into a frenzy, with major shipping stakeholders issuing guidance and recommendations, ports halting operations until further notice and a feeling of uncertainty on how this emergency will be dealt with.

Mooring and unmooring operations hide a number of risks for those who get involved, many times leading to a fatal accident or a collision; Thus, it is of a great importance when conducting any mooring operation to follow specific steps to ensure the safety of all those conducting the operation.

A containership lost a great number of containers overboard in the Pacific Ocean approximately 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii, as reported by the ship’s manager.

The STCW Convention provides details on the certificates required according to function performed on board and type of vessel. The following tables outline all requirements for personnel on any type of ship designated with safety or pollution duties; in charge of survival craft or rescue boats; designated to control fire fighting; to provide medical care; securities duties and for personnel working on tankers or passenger ships.

2019 kicked off with the data collection on fuel oil consumption, alternative mechanisms to comply with the 2020 Sulphur cap, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, the IMSBC Code 2017 amendment as well as amendments designating North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs. With many more regulations and developments still yet to come, nations from all across the globe, ship operators and crew are going through a key period because of ten major issues that will have significant impact over the next ten years in the shipping industry.

Any level of alcohol consumption or illegal drugs by crew members onboard has implications for the safety of the vessel, the crew and any passengers. Even small quantities of alcohol have been shown to sufficiently impair seafarer’s fitness for duty and increase the risk of accidents.

Master is the key person to ensure the effective implementation of the ISM Code on board and thus, as a top priority, he needs to be familiar with company’s SMS. In particular, clause 5 of the ISM Code defines Master’s requirements and expectations; as such, among its main duties, Master is assigned with the obligation to review and verify the Safety Management System of the Company (as per ISM Code Clause 5, para. 5.1.5).

The North Club provides information concerning which countries enable crew changes and which not, providing updates. Thus, the table below includes the countries that facilitate crew changes. The issue of crew changes has been at the centre of attention lately, as port restrictions and the global lockdown have led to many seafarers being onboard vessels and having their contracts extended.