V.Group has launched the Voyage Loyalty Program, an app-based initiative aimed at enhancing engagement and retention among seafarers. By offering rewards for various activities—such as serving time at sea, completing training, and adhering to safety protocols—participants can accumulate points known as “SeaStars.” These points can be redeemed for consumer goods and gift cards.
A seafarer has launched OffshoreShipAdvisor.com, a platform for crew members to rate onboard living conditions, similar to Tripadvisor. This site aims to enhance transparency in the maritime industry, allowing seafarers to review aspects like accommodation and food quality. Currently, it covers 37,400 vessels, with plans for expansion.
Cases of vessel abandonment have surged by 33%, with the ITF reporting 158 incidents by May 2024. Over 1,500 seafarers are affected, enduring delays in pay, food, and port access. ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton calls for urgent reforms, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the maritime industry.
On May 29, a cargo ship off West Africa was attacked by seven armed pirates, resulting in the kidnapping of the injured second engineer. The incident occurred between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe, highlighting a troubling resurgence in piracy in the region, despite an overall decline in maritime crimes.
Seafarers under the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) will receive a 5% salary increase over two years following negotiations in Singapore. Effective January 1, 2026, a 3.5% raise will be implemented, with an additional 1.5% increase on January 1, 2027, impacting around 400,000 seafarers across 11,000 vessels.
The wives of three Filipino seafarers imprisoned in Algeria have urgently appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for help in securing their husbands’ release. The men, sentenced to 15 years after being wrongfully implicated in a drug case, face dire conditions, with one suffering from diabetes, causing immense family hardship.
Carl Martin Faanessen, CEO of Noatun Maritime, believes the narrative around seafarers often exaggerates their struggles, casting them as victims. He emphasizes that many are skilled professionals who take pride in their work. Despite challenges like rough seas, they find joy in their careers, fostering camaraderie and resilience among their ranks.
Former ship captain John Merrone has been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadets aboard the cargo ship M/V Liberty Glory in September 2019. This case marks a significant shift in addressing sexual assaults on U.S.-flagged vessels.
Nine Filipino seafarers stranded at Yemen’s Ras Isa Port have returned to the Philippines due to escalating conflict in the region. The Department of Migrant Workers is providing them with financial aid, temporary accommodation, and medical assistance. Ras Isa Port has become increasingly dangerous due to ongoing tensions and military activity.
The ‘Mission 30’ initiative by Anglo Eastern shipping aims to boost the number of management-level merchant navy officers under 30 from 1% to 30% by 2030. This initiative enhances career prospects for young Indians, supporting India’s growth as a maritime workforce hub and aligning with national economic aspirations.
Volunteers with maritime experience are sought to guide visitors on the historic trawler Arctic Corsair, reopening in Hull this autumn. As the last sidewinder trawler, it will be a centerpiece of a new maritime museum. The Hull Maritime Foundation is recruiting volunteers to share valuable seafaring stories and heritage.
A recent study by the World Maritime University reveals that commercial pressures are forcing seafarers to compromise safety during container ship unloading, increasing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Analyzing 242 safety reports over 12 years, the research highlights urgent systemic issues within maritime operations that need immediate attention.
Seafarers on ferries from Patras and Igoumenitsa will strike for 48 hours on June 3-4, citing chronic understaffing that jeopardizes safety and worsens working conditions. The Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO) criticized the government and employers for failing to address crew shortages, emphasizing the urgent need for improved staffing and working conditions.
Frederick University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MSC Shipmanagement Cyprus to enhance the maritime workforce. This partnership includes scholarships for Cypriot students in the blue economy, internships, and educational field trips to major maritime institutions in Europe, aligning academic learning with real-world maritime experience.
The maritime sector has made progress in gender diversity, with over 176,000 women employed globally. However, women comprise only 19% of the workforce and just 1% at sea. Addressing women’s health, particularly during physiological transitions, is crucial for fostering a diverse and effective maritime workforce, as highlighted in recent reports.
