The Port of Dakar in Senegal has said it is too busy to rescue a cargo ship at its anchorage which has been without electricity and sidelights for months, putting its seafarers and those on passing ships in grave danger – especially at night.

The MV Onda (IMO 8912467) was declared abandoned in December 2021 and has now been at Dakar for more than five months. Its engine has broken down meaning that it has no power and so cannot be lit to warn passing vessels of its presence.

The risk of a collision with the unlit vessel is high due of the anchorage’s proximity to a crowded seaway, warns the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

“Dakar’s anchorage has ships coming and going all the time. It sits a few kilometres from West Africa’s main shipping lanes,” said Steve Trowsdale, Inspectorate Coordinator at the ITF. “An unlit vessel positioned there at night puts the lives of the Onda’s seafarers in immediate danger as well as those on any ship passing by. There has already been one near miss. If an oil tanker crashes through the Onda, there will be an environmental as well as human disaster.”

The ITF has contacted authorities at Dakar asking that the Onda is towed into port so that repairs can be made to the engine to make it safe. Their response was that the port is already too busy.

“That’s unacceptable,” said Trowsdale. “Effectively, they are prioritising the business of the port over the safety of seafarers. I hope the people who have made this decision can be persuaded to change their minds before there is a catastrophe and they have the lives of seafarers on their consciences.”

Owners are nowhere to be seen

The four seafarers from Cameroon, Lebanon, Nigeria and Syria have been left without pay or sufficient provisions by the Onda’s owners and operators for months. The ship is operated by AMJ Marine Services of Honduras. It is owned by the Amin Ship Company SA, also of Honduras. They have been providing the crew with some provisions but not nearly enough to survive.

The ITF has stepped in to ensure they receive full provisions and drinking water for as long as they remain at anchor.

The crew are owed each between five- and nine-month’s pay, estimated at over USD $59,000. All four seafarers have requested repatriation, at the cost of the owner, as is their right under the Maritime Labour Convention. This is unlikely to happen until the ship is allowed into the main port at Dakar.

This is the second time a crew on the Onda has been abandoned by its owners Amin Ship Company. In 2020, the company claimed that the ship was laid up in Douala, Cameroon with only watch keepers on board, even though four crew members had paperwork showing they were fully fledged seafarers. Crew were owed several months’ wages. They were tricked into taking some wages as cash with a promise that they would receive the rest after a month. But once they left the vessel they never received anything.

This time around, the Onda’s owners and operators did not respond to the ITF when the federation asked them to explain why the ship has been left in the dangerous situation or when the crew will be paid.

‘Chaotic’ Flag of Convenience system failing seafarers

The situation is made more complex by the Onda’s uncertain flag status. It was previously registered in Togo, but that country says that registration was transferred to Guyana in July 2021. Indeed, the ship was picked up broadcasting a Guyanese call sign on its automated identification system as recently as April this year. However, the Guyana register has no record of the ship and suspects it is operating illegally under a ‘false flag’.

“The Flag of Convenience system is chaotic,” said Trowsdale, “and leaves ample room for unscrupulous shipowners to dodge and weave their way out of their obligations. Governments have allowed a morally bankrupt system to develop where it’s commonplace to see a ship change register on paper four or five times over its service life, switching between flags to avoid tax, evade environmental regulations, and duck their responsibilities to crew.”

While owners like Amin can so easily avoid their obligations, often it falls to port authorities like those in Dakar to step in and save the lives of seafarers.

“There is no doubt the owners and operators have shown neglect in their treatment of their crew over a number of years,” said Trowsdale.

“However, I have little confidence that they can be persuaded to sort this situation out. In the meantime, the crew remains in great danger and our only hope is that the authorities at Dakar or higher up in the Senegalese government take the action needed,” he concluded.

Source: https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/seafarers-sitting-ducks-port-dakar-leaves-them-without-warning-lights

Last year, union ship inspectors recovered more than USD $37 million in unpaid wages owed to seafarers, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has revealed in figures published today.

The ITF’s 125 inspectors and coordinators completed 7,265 inspections in 2021 to support thousands of seafarers with wage claims and repatriation cases, despite Covid-19 restrictions preventing inspectors’ ability to board ships for much of the year.

ITF Inspectors get their name because they board and ‘inspect’ ships. They educate seafarers about their rights and support crew to enforce these rights. The officials cover more than 100 ports across 50 countries.

Inspectors are trained to look for exploitation, overwork – even for signs of forced labour and modern slavery. On many vessels, Inspectors have the right to examine wage accounts, employment contracts, and to review recorded hours of work and rest.

“It’s not uncommon for crew to be paid the at the wrong rate by a shipowner, or less than the rate set out in the employment agreement covering the ship,” said Steve Trowsdale, the ITF’s Inspectorate Coordinator.

“Crew can generally work out when they’re being underpaid. And that’s when they contact us. ITF inspectors help seafarers recover what’s owed to them.”

Altogether, the ITF clawed back USD $37,591,331 in unpaid wages and entitlements from shipowners in 2021.

Trowsdale said the makeup of seafarers’ wage claims was changing: “Concerningly, we’re seeing a rise in the number of seafarers reporting non-payment of wages for periods of two months or longer, which actually meets the ILO’s definition of abandonment.”

“Seafarers might think it’s normal to go unpaid for a couple of months, waiting for a shipowner to sort out financing, but they need to be aware that non-payment can also be a sign that a shipowner is about to cut them loose and leave them abandoned.”

The ITF reported 85 cases of abandonment to the International Labour Organization (ILO) last year, an historic high. In many of those cases, abandoned crew had already been waiting on several weeks’ or months’ of unpaid wages – including those aboard the storm-hit MV Lidia.

ITF inspector based in Hong Kong, Jason Lam, helped eight Burmese seafarers who were crewing the MV Lidia recover almost USD $30,000 in unpaid wages after they ran aground in October 2021, thanks to a typhoon that left them close to shipwrecked. The shipowner refused to pay the two months’ wages he owed them, abandoning them and ruling out any assistance to get them home.

Weeks of campaigning by Lam on behalf of the seafarers had an impact, and on 2 November 2021, the crew flew home – full wages in hand.

Amidst crew change crisis, ITF inspectors got thousands of seafarers home

Trowsdale said Inspectors did not let Covid-19 barriers stop them from supporting seafarers in need, instead adapting and finding new ways of working.

“I’m extremely proud of the work of our inspectors have done to support seafarers in the last year, often working in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances,” he said. “It’s always been incredibly important for our team to be able to physically get to seafarers – to board ships and educate crew on their rights. So, when Covid-19 restrictions presented a challenge to inspectors to board vessels, there was a real question: ‘What will happen to the seafarers who need us?’”

As the crew change crisis worsened in early 2021, a flood of requests filled the ITF’s inboxes from crew desperate to sign off and get home. Covid-related border restrictions were the underlying reason for the crew change crisis, which impacted an estimated 400,000 seafarers at the worst point of the crisis. But on some ships, other more sinister factors were at play in keeping crew from their families.

“There is evidence that some shipowners were using Covid-19 as an excuse to keep seafarers working beyond their initial contracts and in complete violation of those seafarers’ human and labour rights,” said Trowsdale. “Thankfully, our team was wise to what was going on and despite everything we got thousands of seafarers home.”

“Keeping crew onboard while pretending their hands were tied may have saved those employers a few dollars in flight fares, but in today’s society that kind of conduct gets noticed. There are no shadows to hide in anymore when it comes to global supply chain accountability,” he said.

Source: https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itf-inspectors-recover-usd376m-unpaid-wages-seafarers-despite-covid-restrictions

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is closely monitoring countries’ response to monkeypox and whether greater restrictions are imposed on seafarers travelling for work.

It is calling on seafarers to notify their national union if they are impacted by restrictions on shore leave or getting to and from work, due to monkeypox controls.

On 23 July 2022 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a global Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

ITF maritime coordinator Jacqueline Smith said: ‘I sincerely hope that this declaration does not result in any restrictions for seafarers, and you can be assured that should this be the case we will argue robustly against any such measures.’

Seafarers are encouraged to let the ITF know via affiliates how the disease is being managed in the transport sector. Nautilus members should contact their Union official.

Currently, most reported cases of monkeypox are Europe.

WHO made a series of temporary recommendations for countries dealing with outbreaks of monkeypox and those currently with no history of the disease or not having detected a case in 21 days.

People with symptoms of monkeypox should avoid any travel, with certain exemptions – including emergency medical care or ‘fleeing from life threatening situations’, until they are determined to be no longer constituting a public health risk.

WHO advises against any additional general or targeted international travel-related measures other than those recommendations specified for international travel and contact tracing.

Monkeypox is a viral ‘zoonotic disease’, clinically resembling smallpox, which is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. The virus typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have also been developed of which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox.

Source: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/itf-to-monitor-monkeypox-controls-on-seafarers-travelling-for-work/

PEARL HARBOR — The Pacific and Indian Oceans Shipping Working Group (PACIOSWG) conducted Exercise Bell Buoy 2022 at Pearl Harbor, June 27 to July 1. This RIMPAC is the largest deployment of NCAGs personnel from multiple partner nations.

U.S. 3rd Fleet and the U.S. Fleet Forces Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) team hosted 11 member nations and more than 44 participants.

The command and control of the multi-national Shipping Coordination Center in Hawaii, and multi-location shipping control teams, spanned the globe with participants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, France, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, U.S., and the non-nation participant, NATO Shipping Center.

“We are extremely pleased with the Bell Buoy 2022 outcomes, especially the global integration and synchronization of maritime operations over 17 time zones– leveraging the talents, experience and collective capabilities of this multinational team for the benefit and protection of shipping,” said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael E. Boyle, commander of the RIMPAC 2022 Combined Task Force and commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet.

The aim of Bell Buoy is to develop respective NCAGS and maritime trade operations (MTO) capabilities and foster interoperability of PACIOSWG member nations in the protection of seaborne trade. Using established doctrine and published procedures, the exercise refreshed the practice for maritime trade protection.

“The Bell Buoy exercise series anchors member nations and allies in the practice of NCAGS, to unlock maritime trade operations training opportunities and realize greater interoperability through partnership and collaboration,” said Boyle.

The major themes for training involved harassment of shipping issues and piracy, and a vessel visit and briefing on NCAGS at Honolulu Harbor.

“Bell Buoy offers participants the ability to apply tactical, operational and strategic level advice on civil shipping and maritime trade protection matters while acquiring knowledge of the maritime environment, to include patterns of life and engagement with maritime industry at various levels,” said U.S. Navy Capt. John Bellissimo, the Bell Buoy exercise director.

For the first time at RIMPAC, an NCAGS Symposium was held July 1 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hawaii’s Ford Island. The event include NCAGS and MTO thought leaders from the France, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Designed to collaborate, develop and share readiness best practices for maritime domain awareness and information sharing, the event also included NCAGS focus area presentations and a panel discussion with NCAGS and maritime industry experts, covering a broad range of current maritime industry security issues and trends.

“The globally integrated NCAGS and MTO practices confront multi-national maritime problems with multi-national maritime solutions,” said Capt. Alex Soukhanov, a U.S. Navy Strategic Sealift Officer and active U.S. Coast Guard licensed master mariner and harbor pilot.

“Successful naval operations require cooperation and communication with the concerned regional commercial maritime stakeholders” said Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Rob Drake.

French Navy Cmdr. Eric Jaslin presented on the Maritime Information Coalition Awareness Center (MICA) and its worldwide network of information centers.

While an expert on MTS Security and Cyber with U.S. Coast Guard discussed the 2020 U.S. National Maritime Cyber Strategy for building cyber-resilience across the Maritime Transportation System.

“Global health, safety, and well-being are inextricably linked to the maritime enabled flow of goods and services” said Leigh Cotterell on the U.S. Coast Guard.

Over 60 personnel from 14 different partner and ally navies participated at the inaugural NCAGS Symposium, in an effort to further build capable and adaptive partners.

The German Navy deployed four NCAGS officers to support RIMPAC 2022. The afloat elements actively engage the bridge watch teams and other crew to provide information on NCAGS procedures, which help prepare mariners for operating in contested maritime environments or other shipping risk areas.

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/426518/bell-buoy-brings-11-partner-nations-together-rimpac-2022

S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, launched the ‘50 Years of Singapore’s Container Shipping Journey Exhibition’ at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) August 4. This year marks 50 years since Singapore received its first 300 containers from the then newly opened Tanjong Pagar Terminal on 23 June 1972.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s container shipping journey, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is organizing a roving exhibition to five institutes of higher learning (IHL) from August to September 2022.

Featuring three zones – Past, Present, and Future – the exhibition will take students through the progress of Singapore’s development into a global hub port and vibrant international maritime center, pay tribute to our pioneers, unions, and industry professionals who made it possible, and highlight the exciting opportunities in the maritime sector.

To attract and grow talent to support the maritime sector, more than 30 maritime companies across the maritime ecosystem comprising port terminal operators, shipping lines, harbor craft operators, ship broking, marine insurance, and marine-tech start-ups, will also be participating in the roving exhibitions.

The companies will be sharing with students and youths about the exciting developments of the maritime industry and the rewarding maritime careers.

MPA Chief Executive, Quah Ley Hoon, said, “Our founding fathers had the strategic vision and courage to make the bold decision to build a container terminal at a time when containerization was still a tentative idea.

“50 years on, Singapore has become a leading global transhipment hub port. Today, the maritime sector is at the cusp of transformation, catalyzed by a digitalization and decarbonization agenda. We hope this exhibition will inspire that same bold spirit in our youths, and have them come onboard, join the maritime sector, and be part of the exciting work to make the sector more sustainable and resilient.”

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/singapore-organizes-container-shipping-exhibition-for-youths-to-attract-new-blood/

The lives of more than 86 seafarers from Pakistan are in acute danger on four vessels owned by Saint James Shipping. They have not been paid wages, endangering their lives, safety, and security as the vessels are without insurance cover and guarantees.

The four vessels are Aeon, Lua, Ariana, and Sol, reportedly managed by Global Radiance Ship Management (GRSM) and financed by a US firm Entrust.

The four vessels are lacking necessities for humanitarian needs and spares to keep the vessels safe for crew members and ship in a sea-worthy state. Singapore-based GRSM is footing the bill. It provided for the ships in 2021, with assurances from Saint James management — MD Panagiotos Postatziz (Agis) and CEO Sam Tari Verdi — that due payments shall be made.

References: International The News, Geo News

Seafarer happiness levels are trending upward after reaching a record low last quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report published by The Mission to Seafarers.

The survey, undertaken with the support of the Standard Club and Idwal, reports on Q2 2022 and shows that the influx of industry solutions to tackle seafarer wellbeing has finally begun to lift morale and the mindset onboard. With more vaccinations, more frequent crew changes, wage rises and new amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), there has been a knock-on effect for seafarer optimism. However, while the data does suggest improvements, now is not the time for complacency. Overall happiness has increased from 5.85 to 7.21/10, with levels rising across all categories.

After more than two years of uncertainty caused by COVID-19, seafarers are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. While it’s still not clear if we are post-pandemic or simply experiencing a COVID lull, restrictions have now eased across the globe. Seafarers are able to move more freely and have more certainty about whether they can go ashore and when they will next be able to go home. This freedom of movement has had a hugely beneficial effect on seafarer happiness and as vaccination levels also rise among crews, there is a sense of stability returning to the industry.

The survey highlighted that seafarers are happier with their shore leave and with welfare facilities when they are ashore. Now that COVID restrictions are easing, more Seafarer Centres are open and able to support seafarers with the provisions they need when ashore. The biggest contributing factor to an improvement of mood has been that the most fundamental aspect of seafaring now appears more certain – knowing when you are going home. The data from Q2 reflects that the industry is getting better at making crew changes more regularly, with 41% of seafarers onboard for between just 1 and 3 months.

There has been a marked increase in a range of areas that contribute to overall improved seafarer wellbeing. There has been a focus on social events that boost morale – including weekly gatherings, quizzes, karaoke, sports, barbecues and movie nights, with increased backing and the support of leadership; there was also a jump in seafarer satisfaction with food on board. Changes to the MLC regarding connectivity have been met with cautious optimism by seafarers who are excited at the prospect of improved communication with loved ones, yet wary of the implications of cost and quality of service. The survey shows that efforts are being made to improve seafarers’ quality of life while on board and that this focus is paying off.

This latest data shows there are signs of better things ahead for seafarers. However, any recovery in seafarer happiness should be treated delicately and can easily be lost. It is important that the industry continues the work to improve crew wellbeing and does not rest on its laurels. Our data does show there is still a way to go and there is further work to be done to reach those seafarers who are struggling, who feel lost, frustrated and are in need of help.

The Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, said, “It is great to see seafarer happiness increase after such low satisfaction in the last Seafarers Happiness Index report. As always, there is much to be learned from hearing directly from seafarers on how they feel about life at sea – the positives and negatives. By listening, we can better understand, empathise and make the necessary changes to improve seafarers’ lives and experiences.

“While it has been a difficult two years, it is nice to see some optimism return, which is largely down to the hard work the industry has done to make life better and raise spirits on board. However, there are still areas that can be improved upon, which is why it’s so critical for organisations to continue taking meaningful steps to boost seafarer happiness and crew welfare. With increased investment and thoughtful leadership, we can work together and find solutions that continue to improve the quality of life at sea for seafarers.”

Thom Herbert, Idwal Crew Welfare Advocate and Senior Marine Surveyor, added, “While there is an increase in the score this quarter, and cause for optimism, for every positive we see there are many more negatives that still need to be addressed. Hours of work and rest continue to be in conflict, and the individual instances quoted in the report indicate that this issue needs more focus. Communication with home remains a major challenge, and although it’s good to hear that there is seafarer positivity around the MLC changes, the reality is likely to be disappointing. It is good to hear reports of an increase in the number of on-board wellbeing initiatives, although, from our experience, this seems to be an exception rather than the rule. Thank you to Mission to Seafarers for keeping the reality of life at sea in focus, and we at Idwal reiterate our gratitude to seafarers all around the world who work tirelessly to ensure global trade does not come to a stop.”

Capt Yves Vandenborn, Director of Loss Prevention, Standard Club, added, “The Seafarers Happiness Index Q2 2022 results reflect an overall increase in scores. This is encouraging taking into consideration a backdrop where the world reports varying stages of success in the fight against COVID-19, and subsequently dealing with the Ukraine/Russia crisis. This uptick in the scores is a reflection that the voices of seafarers worldwide are being heard and small steps are being taken to ensure their wellbeing at sea. However, there is still much to be done and the industry cannot rest on its laurels.”

source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/seafarer-happiness-rise-498456