On the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention, Human Rights at Sea urged Australia’s Transport Minister, Catherine King, to improve seafarer welfare services. Sue Dight, from Mission to Seafarers, is seeking funding across Australia, emphasizing the need for a coordinated national framework to support over 500,000 seafarers annually.
Thirty cadets from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria have secured a year-long sea-time placement with Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Shipping and Marine Services Limited. This initiative aims to enhance Nigeria’s marine economy, providing essential practical training aboard NLNG vessels, crucial for their professional certification and competitiveness in the global maritime sector.
Kenya has recently signed agreements with international ship-owning organizations, enhancing job prospects for local seafarers. The Mutual Recognition Agreement with Singapore allows Kenyan seafarers to work on Singapore-registered vessels globally. This initiative boosts Kenya’s maritime training credibility and connects its talent to extensive shipping networks, creating stable job opportunities.
The third edition of the UK Marine Industry Salary & Employment Survey reveals a significant shift in employee priorities, with salary now the top concern for job seekers. Companies are responding by raising wages, particularly for entry-level roles, amid ongoing challenges related to training access and a declining youth workforce.
Argentina’s maritime labor unions are striking against a proposed law that threatens overtime pay and union rights. The legislation, part of Prime Minister Javier Milei’s economic overhaul, aims to reclassify seafarers under commercial law, undermining protections. The Maritime Federation asserts, “The merchant marine cannot be excluded from the legal framework that protects Argentine workers.”
The maritime union RMT has shown strong support for Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers who voted overwhelmingly for strike action. Concerns were raised about management’s failure to comply with minimum wage laws. General Secretary Eddie Dempsey criticized the opaque pay calculation system, leaving seafarers in a precarious financial situation.
The Directorate General of Shipping, led by Additional Director General Shri Sushil Mansing Khopde, convened to address the recent detention and abandonment of Indian seafarers. Emphasizing the safety and dignity of mariners, the meeting aimed at improving repatriation processes and ensuring a coordinated response to protect Indian seafarers abroad.
Captain Vladimir Motin received a six-year sentence for “gross negligence manslaughter” following the Solong’s collision with the Stena Immaculate in March 2025. Justice Andrew Baker emphasized Motin’s complacency led to the tragedy. In contrast, Chief Mate Ali Albokhari, imprisoned for drug smuggling, received a harsh sentence without direct evidence, highlighting judicial inconsistencies.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have launched the Seafarers’ Welfare Center at Monarch Parksuites, Aseana Business Park. This facility provides centralized support and essential services for Filipino seafarers and their families, promoting their well-being and empowerment while safeguarding their rights through comprehensive resources and training programs.
Singapore has issued a critical warning to maritime professionals following the sentencing of a gas tanker captain to 14 months in prison for misleading authorities after a crew member’s death during a tank-cleaning operation. This case emphasizes the imperative for integrity in reporting, with legal repercussions for dishonest actions.
Danica Crewing Specialists has achieved a milestone by launching the first cohort of 10 cadets from Bandari Maritime Academy into their sea-time training program. This initiative, featuring two six-month onboard placements, represents a significant step in nurturing maritime talent in East Africa, addressing the need for skilled seafarers globally.
Maritime NZ prioritizes seafarer welfare, actively monitoring their conditions and ensuring compliance with maritime regulations. The crew is reported healthy and well-provisioned. Maritime NZ encourages reporting any welfare concerns regarding foreign vessels in New Zealand waters through their website, reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding seafarer rights and wellbeing.
The Maritime Union is deeply concerned about the welfare of foreign crew members stranded aboard the former Interislander ferry, Aratere, off Nelson’s coast for nearly two months. They are advocating for an urgent welfare check to ensure the crew’s health and safety, highlighting the need for immediate action and support.
On Tuesday, a container feeder crew rescued solo sailor Demetris Lappas from his disabled yacht, Alcyon Blue, off Bermuda. After engine failures and severe weather left him dizzy from diesel fumes, he activated his EPIRB. The Bermuda Islander reached him first, navigating rough seas to bring him safely aboard.
A Chinese ship captain, Wan Wenguo, has pleaded not guilty to charges of damaging crucial undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Operating the container vessel NewNew Polar Bear, he faces serious allegations that his ship’s anchor caused considerable harm. The incident raises significant concerns regarding global communications and maritime safety regulations.
