Tag: ITF

The FAS will now join the 32 other countries on the list of FOCs The ITF has declared the Faroe Islands National & International Ship Register (FAS) a flag of convenience (FOC).The decision, taken by the ITF's fair practices committee steering group, follows a lengthy process of investigation and negotiations designed to address the problems identified with the register and avert the need for the declaration.Problems were first identified when Norlines, whose fleet was almost wholly Norwegian-flagged, reflagged to the FAS and began laying off Norwegian crew, who were replaced with Philippine and Polish nationals. Only two of the Norwegian beneficially owned vessels were fully manned by Faroese crew. A similar pattern was identified with Swedish-owned vessels. Eight Swedish companies were found to be flagging to FAS, with the replacement of their Swedish crews imminent.ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton commented: "This is a move we take reluctantly, and only after a lengthy search for a solution, in which we involved the Faroese Maritime Unions. However, it has proved unavoidable if the ITF's Mexico City Policy (which reviewed the ITF's whole FOC campaign) is to be applied fairly.""For the Faroese second register this is likely to mean a new age of ...

Funding for five different projects dealing with the welfare of seafarers The latest donations made to the charity arm of the ITF, the Seafarers' Trust, have been revealed bringing the total for 2011 to 9 million.The most recent round of donations amount to 6.5 million, which will be used to provide funding for five different projects dealing with the welfare of seafarers.A sum of 5 million has been allocated to Seafarers' Rights International (SRI) for a five-year programme for continuing work on advancing the legal rights of seafarers.Amongst other projects to gain funding is the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP), which was officially launched in London in September. MPHRP is set to receive 750,000 over three years as part of its 3.3 million programme to address the problems facing seafarers and their families affected by piracy.Tom Holmer, administrative officer of the Seafarers' Trust, said: "In spite of very difficult conditions within the maritime industry, the Trust sees the importance of supporting good projects for major expenditure when the opportunities are there to benefit seafarers."He added: "In response to our request for vehicle and communication-related applications early this year, we have a number of projects in the pipeline in these ...

MPHRP press release A programme launched in London in September today in Manila, Phlippines, released its first guides to shipping companies and manning agents on how to offer support to seafarers and families to help them cope with the physical and mental trauma caused by torture and abuse at the hands of pirates. Similarly dedicated guides for seafarers; chaplains and welfare workers; and trade unions will follow in early 2012.Today's first tranche of guides can be seen at www.mphrp.org/publication.php.Pirates are routinely using extreme brutality and the threat of death against seafarers and their relatives. The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) is intended to help those seafarers and their families cope with the resulting pain and anguish.Funded by the ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) Seafarers' Trust charity and TK Foundation, and chaired by Peter Swift, formerly MD of industry body INTERTANKO, the programme speaks for an alliance of ship owners, trade unions, managers, manning agents, insurers and welfare associations representing the entire shipping industry, from crews to ownersIts mission is to aid seafarers who have been or may be subject to pirate attack. Somali-based pirates now regularly treat hostage seafarers with extreme violence in order to put pressure on their ...

Eventually, the regained control of their vessel Taiwanese fishers fought off a hijack by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, regaining control of their vessel. The Chin Yi Wen and its 28 crew were attacked and hijacked around 260 nautical miles south west of the Seychelles on 3 November.On 5 November, some of the crew overcame the hijackers, freed themselves and retook the boat. The Chin Yi Wen then met up with a British warship nearby, which provided assistance, and later continued its journey to the Seychelles. Three crewmembers are reported to have sustained minor injuries.Over in the increasingly dangerous waters off West Africa, pirates have now released the Greek-operated, Malta-flagged oil tanker Halifax and its 25 mainly Filipino crew, hijacked about 100 kilometres off Port Harcourt, Nigeria on 30 October. The tanker was taken to a position off Lagos/Benin where part of the cargo was siphoned off, and then taken back to Bonny, Nigeria. The crew were reported to be safe, although some personal belongings were stolen.According to figures from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) for 7 November, Somali pirates are currently holding captive about 11 vessels and 194 hostages. Hostages continue to include seven Indian seafarers from the ...

Concern continues over potentially dangerous reefer containers The ITF is taking action to protect the health and safety of port workers and seafarers as concern continues over potentially dangerous reefer containers.Some 900 refrigerated units were withdrawn by shipping line Maersk last month after three fatalities were linked to maintenance work carried out on containers in Vietnam.Although as yet unconfirmed, it's thought that some reefers may have been topped up with contaminated gas causing them to be potentially explosive under certain conditions.ITF affiliates across dockers, seafarers and road and rail sections, have been informed of the potential risk attached to these units and are being advised to follow up with their local health and safety authorities.ITF dockers' section secretary Frank Leys said: "We are pleased to see that big shipping lines like Maersk have reacted quickly to this situation and we would join our US affiliate, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, in urging any companies or organisations who haven't already taken steps to alleviate this risk, to follow suit now."Seafarers' section secretary Jon Whitlow added: "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of those workers on ships who may be unaware that a defective container is being carried on board."Whilst ...

More shippers are beginning to use anti- piracy equipment and armed guards Armed guards aboard ships in pirate infested waters off the Horn of Africa, will not substitute for naval protection, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), reports London's Tanker Operator."Until more countries are prepared to patrol, arrest and prosecute, and to take the fight to the pirates and their bases - which are often fuel dumps and facilities in plain view right on the beaches - the world will continue to be held to ransom, and innocent seafarers to risk imprisonment, torture and, ultimately, death," said the ITF's seafarers chairman Dave Heindel."What's an open secret is the yawning gap in flag state responsibility. While some nations and their armed forces are doing an amazing job, others are shirking their responsibilities," said Mr Heindel.Said ITF general secretary David Cockroft: "Somali-based piracy has been allowed to become so successful, savage and wide-ranging that seafarers' and seafaring organisations' worries about armed guards have had to be set aside. However, guards can never be anything but a supplement to the sorely-tried existing naval presence, which is now trying to cover an entire ocean."Mr Cockroft said he agreed with the International Shipping ...

Reaction and comments by ITF, SOS, Nautilus and Intermanager News that the UK Government has endorsed the use of armed guards on UK-flagged vessels has triggered comment from the major shipping organisations, most of which were favourable but with caveats.ITF's general secretary David Cockroft said: "Somali-based piracy has been allowed to become so successful, savage and wide-ranging that seafarers' and seafaring organisations' worries about armed guards have had to be set aside. However, guards can never be anything but a supplement to the sorely-tried existing naval presence, which is now trying to cover an entire ocean."The ITF, like the International Shipping Federation and International Chamber of Shipping, would like to see on-vessel detachments made up of the ship's flag state forces whenever possible."He continued: "Sadly no move is without risks. Pirate gangs are making fortunes out of their crimes. It is easy for them to reach for heavier and heavier weapons and turn to obscene levels of violence to counter defensive measures."'We welcome David Cameron's interest in maritime affairs, but we also have to warn him that the current defence cuts are likely to compromise the Royal Navy's ability to fight piracy."ITF seafarers' section chair Dave Heindel added: "What's an ...

ITF comments on British prime minister David Cameron's pledge for armed guards Commenting on British prime minister David Cameron's pledge to more effectively protect ships against pirates, including by relaxing rules on carrying arms, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said:"Somali-based piracy has been allowed to become so successful, savage and wide-ranging that seafarers' and seafaring organisations' worries about armed guards have had to be set aside. However, guards can never be anything but a supplement to the sorely-tried existing naval presence, which is now trying to cover an entire ocean."The ITF, like the International Shipping Federation and International Chamber of Shipping, would like to see on-vessel detachments made up of the ship's flag state forces whenever possible."He continued: "Sadly no move is without risks. Pirate gangs are making fortunes out of their crimes. It is easy for them to reach for heavier and heavier weapons and turn to obscene levels of violence to counter defensive measures.""'We welcome David Cameron's interest in maritime affairs, but we also have to warn him that the current defence cuts are likely to compromise the Royal Navy's ability to fight piracy."ITF seafarers' section chair Dave Heindel added: "What's an open secret is the yawning gap ...

The Jones Act is crucial in keeping the US-flagged fleet strong A new report has re-emphasised the importance of section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act in the US, also known as the "Jones Act"; the document counters arguments that regularly attempt to undermine this key piece of legislation.Published by the Lexington Institute in Washington DC, The contribution of the Jones Act to US security reveals how, 90 years after it became law, the Jones Act is crucial in keeping the US-flagged fleet strong.Without the act, states the report, the US could face a rapid decline in its merchant marine fleet. It would then be required to subsidise the industry, pay substantial amounts for naval vessels and rely on vessels flagged and owned overseas. Currently, because vessels must conform to US laws, waterborne transport is more secure.According to David Heindel, secretary-treasurer of the Seafarers' International Union and chair of the ITF seafarers' section, the US merchant marine, of which the domestic maritime industry is a vital part, is recognised as "the fourth arm of national defence". A strong domestic fleet ensures that the US has world-class vessels to meet sealift needs; expert and experienced seafarers to man the US government's ...

ITF exchanged letters with Admiral Stavridis for security issues The ITF yesterday welcomed the latest statement of determination to prevent piracy from the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, US Navy Admiral James Stavridis, The organisation was responding to an exchange of letters with Admiral Stavridis, in which he reiterated the NATO task force's determination to 'use all its means to limit the freedom of movement to the Pirate Action Groups in the area'.The Admiral was writing in response to a letter from ITF seafarers' section chair, Dave Heindel, in which he raised the ITF's concerns over the greater use by pirates of violence and now torture, and the failure of many of the major flag states to make any real contribution to the fight against piracy - including the failure even to make sure that ships flying their flags implement best management practice.Dave Heindel wrote: 'We need a more robust response in all areas. This would include disrupting the pirate camps on land and restricting their access to fuel and to their ability to store fuel. We would like to see their "safe anchorages" being made less safe.'We would like to work closely with you and to play an active part ...