On March 25, 2026, the Myanmar Seafarers Federation (MSF) announced a survey to assess the experiences of seafarers and their families regarding social development. Captain Soe Min Aung highlighted the importance of understanding seafarers’ needs, particularly concerning collective bargaining agreements and employment contracts, to enhance their rights and protections.
Italy’s strict counter-migration policies have forced MSF’s rescue vessel Geo Barents to leave the Central Mediterranean route. The new law requires immediate port entry after each rescue and disembarkation at distant ports, hindering rescue operations. MSF has suspended missions due to repeated detentions, highlighting the challenges faced under Italian regulations.
The international aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders – MSF) successfully secured the release of their migrant rescue ship, the Geo Barents, after a 60-day detention by the Italian government. MSF criticized the government for obstructing humanitarian sea rescues, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended her hardline policies to decrease sea arrivals and migrant drownings.
