Tag: ban

More Chinese ships are at the disputed Scarborough Shoal area The Philippines says more Chinese ships are at the disputed Scarborough Shoal area, despite ongoing talks on the row.A statement from the Foreign Ministry said the vessels included five government ships as well as dozens of fishing and utility boats.The Philippines currently has two vessels there.The two countries, both of which claim the area, have been locked in a stand-off since April.On Monday there were five Chinese government vessels, 16 fishing boats and 56 "utility boats" in the area, the Philippine foreign ministry said.The number of utility boats - smaller vessels launched from bigger boats, the coast guard said - went up to 76 on Tuesday, it said.But the ministry said it was still "committed to efforts of defusing the tensions" with China, even as it "expressed grave concern" over the issue to the Chinese embassy in Manila.In Beijing, the foreign ministry dismissed the comments."It is understood that some 20 Chinese fishing boats are operating around Huangyan Island, similar to that of last year," said spokesman Hong Lei."The way they operate is in compliance with the relevant laws in China, as well as China's fishing moratorium order."Both sides imposed fishing ...

Foreign-flagged fishing vessels to be banned from New Zealand waters The Maritime Union and the Labour Party say Government plans to crack down on foreign fishing vessels do not go far enough.Foreign-flagged fishing vessels are to be banned from operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns, the Government announced today.Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson said the Government will require reflagging of all foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters, and the rule change will be brought in over a four-year transition period."The Government's decision sends a clear message that New Zealand is serious about the fair treatment of fishing crews, the safety of vessels and its international reputation for ethical and sustainable fishing practices," the ministers said.However, the Maritime Union and the Labour Party say the best way to create good working conditions, is to make sure jobs on board the vessels go to Kiwis, and not foreigners.Labour's immigration spokesperson Darien Fenton said: "While these changes mean foreign vessels will need to be registered as New Zealand vessels - and abide by our much higher fisheries and labour standards - they will still be able to use entirely ...

Ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil Britain is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices, European diplomats said.A European Union ban on importing Iranian oil, which takes effect on July 1, will also prevent EU insurers and reinsurers from covering tankers carrying Iranian crude anywhere in the world from July.The impact of the measure is likely to be felt strongly in London's financial district, the centre for marine insurance.Iran exports most of its 2 million barrels of oil per day to Asia. The four main buyers - China, India, Japan and South Korea - have yet to find a way to replace the predominantly Western insurance shipping cover provided by London insurers.The sanctions seek to stem the flow of petrodollars to Tehran to force it to halt a nuclear programme that the West suspects is intended to produce weapons.Some Indian and Chinese firms have already asked state insurers to step in and provide coverage by offering government guarantees. The situation is more complicated for Japan and South Korea, ...

Reports in the media suggest that the European Union may ban Iranian oil imports Reports in the media suggest that the European Union may ban Iranian oil imports from 1 July 2012. It is felt that the July deadline will give Member States the time to terminate existing contracts in accordance with the proposal made by the Danish Presidency on 15 January. Once the embargo is in place, Member States would have until the end of June to fulfil existing contracts with Tehran and will have to cease all imports from July onwards. No new contracts will be authorised before the July deadline.Speaking to Reuters, European diplomats said that the EU Presidency intends to finalise discussions at the next meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on 23 January, so that the agreement can be officially put into place in the days that follow.According to one European source, though, no agreement has yet been reached. Greece, for example, is very dependent upon Iranian oil and has not yet given its agreement because it is still seeking alternative supply sources. Spain, too, is very dependent on Iranian oil but according to a US diplomat based in Spain, the country would still approve ...

Filipino mariners account for 30 % of about 1.2 million seamen worldwide Filipino seafarers are not threatened by a looming employment ban by the European Union against them for not complying with certain maritime standards, the Labor chief said Tuesday.Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the demand is "still high" for Filipino seafarers even though the Lisbon-based European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) intends to revoke the "Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping" or STCW certificates of maritime schools in the Philippines by August 2011.EMSA is an EU agency charged with reducing the risks in maritime accidents, marine pollution from ships, and loss of human lives at sea.The EU has been appealing to maritime institutions in the Philippines - one of the major suppliers of seafarers worldwide - to implement reforms in the quality of their instructors and courses.Filipino mariners account for 30 percent of about 1.2 million seamen worldwide, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration records showed.The warning from the EU came after a Philippine government forecast said the global requirement for sailors will grow 50 percent with the aging international pool in the maritime industry, Baldoz said."The good thing this is that the maritime industry from around the world has even coordinated ...