Tag: ITF

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 ...

Inspection onboard the Sea Master1unveils that there was was a very unhealthy environment ITF inspectors have exposed what they believe is a pattern of poor conditions and underpayment on the Sea Master 1, a ship chartered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and moored in Mombasa, Kenya. They have alerted the WFP.The case is being treated as urgent by Mombasa-based ITF inspector Betty Makena Mutugi, who is accompanied by Spanish ITF inspector Luz Baz.Luz Baz reported: "The Panama-flagged Sea Master 1 is working for the World Food Programme in the Indian Ocean and in the very dangerous waters of Somalia. Betty and I inspected the ship on the 18th of October; its Russian crew members had contacted their union, the SUR, asking for ITF help."She continued: "There were virtually no provisions on board, no decent drinking water, no air conditioning. What there was was a very unhealthy environment with cockroaches in the galley, the freezer not working and, in general, very bad living conditions. The crew also claimed that they had not been paid since August.""We immediately contacted the shipowner Marine Bulk Carriers Nadkodka, Russia, asking them to take action and also to agree to put in place ...

According to figures from the International Maritime Bureau There have been a record number of pirate attacks but anti-piracy measures have been successful in reducing hijacks, according to figures from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).The IMB's latest global piracy report shows that Somali pirates were behind 56% of the 352 attacks worldwide reported in the first nine months of 2011 - 199 compared with 126 in the same period of 2010.However, despite the increase in attacks, the pirates have been less successful, hijacking 24 vessels in 2011 to date compared with 35 in the same period of 2010 - representing a 12% success rate compared with 28%.The IMB credits this reduction in hijackings to "policing and interventions by international naval forces, correct application of the industry's latest Best Management Practice - including the careful consideration of the crews' retreat to a 'citadel' - and other onboard security measures".However, the human cost of piracy worldwide had seen 625 people taken hostage with eight killed and 41 injured.As well as more attacks in the Red Sea during the monsoon season in the Indian Ocean, IMB warns that the West African coast off Benin is seeing a surge in violent piracy. While there ...