Tag: seafarer safety

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Mr Guy Platten, Secretary General of ICS, refers to the current industry’s challenges due to COVID-19 and how the pandemic impacts seafarers, highlighting that they have always been the heart of shipping. During this ongoing crisis, we must first steer seafarers safely through the remainder of the pandemic, Mr Platten stated, highlighting that vaccinations against Covid-19 should start for all seafarers soonest possible as they are experiencing fatigue and distress after such extended periods at sea.

Container Shipping Supporting Seafarers (CSSS) shed light on the physical and psychological impact of a container stack collapse on the seafarers.

Following the police's investigation into the potential human trafficking of dozens of Filipino seafarers in the country's shipping industry, New Zealand transport workers’ unions are calling on their government to put Fiji on notice. To remind, Fijian authorities launched an investigation into a ferry operator's allegedly ongoing abusive treatment of dozens of Filipino seafarers. In fact, ITF reported that staff at Goundar Shipping tried to confiscate a number of seafarers’ passports and other documents upon beginning work with the company. Investigations by unions have uncovered allegations of widespread abuse, underpayment, unsafe conditions, and even of human trafficking and slavery, in New Zealand’s own backyard. ...said Paul Tolich, chair of the ITF New Zealand National Coordinating Committee. In addition, Mr Tolich said that New Zealand unions welcomed news that a Police investigation has finally been launched, but that fears of a potential whitewash remain once the seafarers leave the country back to the Philippines. "I am writing on behalf of our affiliates to the New Zealand ministers of Foreign Affairs and Workplace Relations, urging them to raise the seafarers’ case immediately with their counterparts in Suva. Fiji needs to know that, as New Zealanders, we expect a thorough investigation of the ...

According to ITF, Fijian authorities recently launched an investigation into a ferry operator's allegedly ongoing abusive treatment of dozens of Filipino seafarers.

Amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister, met with Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO, to support progress regarding seafarer vaccinations and the pathway to decarbonization of shipping.

It is known that COVID-19 has had a wide-spread impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those working in maritime transport, with many of those unable to return home for months. Therefore, Maritime UK launched the Mental Health in Maritime Pledge.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, India’s first domestic cruise liner Angriya, is now being used as an accommodation for stranded seafarers, since it helps them to navigate safely between their homes and port of calls.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority along with the Department of Home Affairs joined forces in order to find an immediate solution concerning the renewal of South African seafarers expired or expiring passports issue.

Amid the crew change crisis within shipping industry, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry issued a marine circular to better explain under which conditions crew change operations are allowed.

Following the pandemic and its travel bans, fumigators are unable to sail with the vessel. Therefore, ship operators and crew, who do not have the necessary expertise to handle toxic materials, are exposed to a risky operational environment, Standard Club noted.