Crew of Ship Seized by Iran Are Safe, Operator MSC Says
The 25 crew members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran on April 13, are safe, shipping firm MSC said on Wednesday, adding that discussions with Iranian authorities are in progress to secure their earliest release."We are also working with the Iranian authorities to have the cargo discharged," the Swiss headquartered company said in a statement.Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.
Saudi Arabian Company Abandons Crew Across Multiple Vessels
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said it has received many reports about withheld pay from individual seafarers working on eight Bahrain-registered vessels owned by Saudi Arabian company Hadi H Al Hamman Establishment. The company, which lists Saudi Aramco among its customers and was buying brand new ships as recently as 2018, has not paid seafarers for more than five months in some cases, the ITF said. One seafarer reported dangerously low levels of food…
Seafarer Abandonment Is on the Rise
Seafarer abandonment is on the rise, according to latest figures from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).In 2023, a total of 132 vessel abandonments were reported, which is 13 more than in 2022 – an increase of 10.92%. IFT said it made 129 of those reports.Under the Maritime Lamour Convention 2006 (MLC), a seafarer is deemed to have been abandoned if the shipowner fails to cover the cost of repatriation; or has left them without the necessary maintenance and support…
ITF Launch New Free Android/IOS App
A new ITF Seafarers app for IOS and Android has been launched which combines two earlier apps: 'Look up a ship' & 'Find an inspector/union'. Earlier this year the ITF launched two separate apps - Look up a ship and Find an inspector. These apps enabled seafarers to find out ship particulars, and to make contact with ITF inspectors and affiliated maritime unions. Both apps had very positive feedback from seafarers and those chartering ships alike, which inspired the ITF to combine and improve the apps into a one-stop-shop for seafarer needs.
