The Sailors’ Society has launched an emergency appeal for seafarers and families affected by a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, Philippines. With over 70 fatalities and ongoing aftershocks, the charity is providing essential supplies like food and clean water, while preparing to reach the hardest-hit areas as conditions improve.
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed deep sorrow over the death of a seafarer following the Houthi forces’ missile attack on the MV Minervagracht. He condemned the aggression against commercial shipping as violations of international law, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue to protect maritime workers and global trade.
Laurent Cadji has announced an expansion of a charity initiative supporting Nigerian seafarers. The program aims to provide education, training, and mentorship, addressing the challenges faced by sailors. Emphasizing investment in maritime communities, Cadji seeks to cultivate a resilient workforce and acknowledge the essential role of seafarers in Nigeria’s evolving maritime sector.
In the coming decade, maritime insurance is set to evolve from a reactive tool to a proactive supporter of seafarer safety. Industry leaders stress the importance of prioritizing crew welfare, enhancing operational efficiency, and integrating safety measures into policies. This shift aims to improve the lives of those working at sea.
Seafarers faced a harrowing ordeal, held captive for nearly ten months by two African nations. Enduring torture and mistreatment, their experience raises urgent concerns about the safety of maritime workers. Their release in May 2023 from the vessel Heroic Idun underscores the pressing need for stronger protections and regulations in the industry.
India has emerged as a premier global supplier of seafarers, boasting over 300,000 trained professionals, as highlighted by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Significant reforms and investments have transformed the maritime sector, creating vast opportunities in ports, shipbuilding, and green technologies, thus reinforcing India’s leadership in the maritime economy.
Ten Filipino seafarers, recently attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden, will receive support from the Department of Migrant Workers upon their arrival in Manila. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac announced assistance in securing new employment, along with medical services and psychological counseling to aid their recovery.
Elena, the wife of imprisoned seafarer Ali Albokhari, is fervently seeking justice as her husband endures a 30-year sentence in Turkey for drug charges linked to a seized ship. She claims the verdict lacked proper evidence, highlighting her husband’s despair and advocating for broader awareness of seafarer criminalization.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is enhancing its initiatives to prepare seafarers for the energy transition in shipping. It has released interim guidelines for training on alternative fuels and technologies, establishing a global framework for crew training. Specialized protocols for various fuels will support mandatory training under the revised STCW Convention Code.
OneCare Group’s Marine Medical Solutions advocates for stronger safeguarding measures for seafarers’ health, proposing mandatory health declarations for crew members with HIV, Hepatitis B, or C. Dr. Jens Tülsner emphasized that effective management of these conditions should prevent discrimination, balancing privacy with safety to enhance overall crew welfare.
In 2020, the ITF and employers introduced the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause, ensuring that cargo tasks like lashing are performed by trained dockworkers. Despite this, seafarers still face dangers, often lacking training and compensation. They have the right to refuse unsafe work, emphasizing the need for a safer maritime environment.
A recent incident in the US Gulf revealed the dangers of contaminated very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). A vessel lost propulsion for three days due to engine-clogging contaminants, endangering both crew and infrastructure. This case underscores the significant threats posed by contaminated marine fuel, highlighting the need for vigilant fuel management practices.
The United Seamen, Ports, and General Workers’ Union of Liberia (USPOGUL) has issued a stark ultimatum to the government, demanding the employment of Liberians on Liberian-flagged vessels by October 15, 2025. Failure to comply may result in significant solidarity actions, including a global blockade of these ships, highlighting ongoing grievances.
Recent developments in seafarer employment include a new global minimum wage set to rise to $690 by January 2026, endorsed by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Concurrently, the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill aims to enhance seafarer protections, particularly regarding collective redundancies and employment standards.
In his address at the Indian Maritime University convocation, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated 2,196 graduates, highlighting their pivotal role in India’s revitalized maritime sector. He emphasized careers in shipping and green technologies, influenced by Prime Minister Modi’s vision, envisioning a prosperous future for India’s maritime initiatives by 2047.
