The Mission to Seafarers Singapore (MtSS) has launched a Centenary Appeal to fund its vital welfare services, celebrating 100 years of support for seafarers. With over 140,000 vessels handled annually, MtSS aids 20,000 seafarers each year, requiring S$950,000 to maintain and expand its critical services and outreach.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urgently called for de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 6,000 seafarers are trapped amid rising tensions. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned recent attacks on ships, emphasizing the urgent need for safe passage and the protection of innocent crews amidst escalating conflict.
A group of young men, including four from Andhra Pradesh, has been stranded on the Iranian coast for months due to their cargo vessel being immobilized. With inadequate support from the ship’s management, the 13 crew members face severe hardships, including food shortages and lack of electricity. Families urge government intervention.
Families of three detained Filipino seafarers are urging the Philippine government to seek a fair trial in Algeria. During a press conference, Marie, one of the wives, appealed to President Marcos Jr. for diplomatic intervention, asserting their innocence against wrongful criminalization. The seafarers face a reduced 10-year sentence.
Parents of four Indian seafarers stranded on the DIVA near Basra, Iraq, are pleading with the government for urgent repatriation. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has contacted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the need for immediate evacuation due to the vessel’s proximity to active bombardment zones.
More than a week after the tragic death of Mumbai seafarer Dixit Solanki aboard the missile-struck oil tanker MT MKD Vyom, his family has urgently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assistance in repatriating his remains. They expressed deep anguish over the lack of information regarding his body.
InterManager has voiced deep concern over rising tensions affecting merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Sebastian von Hardenberg stressed the importance of prioritizing seafarers’ safety, urging authorities to provide clear guidance for safe vessel passage. He emphasized the need to protect maritime trade and the livelihoods of those at sea.
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.
Liverpool Seafarers Centre is spreading holiday cheer with their Christmas parcel appeal for seafarers visiting the port. The charity is collecting donations for gift parcels to uplift seafarers spending the festive season away from their families. Recognizing their vital role in the global economy, the centre aims to provide support and hospitality to these individuals.
