seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Industry mulls premium on freight rates into China
16/01/2021 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/industry-mulls-premium-on-freight-r...

Talks of a premium on freight for shipping dry bulk cargo into China is gaining ground after ships were held up for months at the anchorage of Chinese ports waiting to berth due to a trade spat with Australia.

DOTr updates guidelines for seafarers
January 14, 2021 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1882728/Cebu/Local-News/DOTr-updates-...

FILIPINO seafarers who came from countries subjected to travel restrictions because of the reported new variants of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, within 14 days immediately preceding their arrival in the country, are still allowed to disembark their ships.

Crew change crisis could revert to peak levels on Covid-19 mutation travel curbs
Marcus Hand | Jan 15, 2021 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/crew-change-crisis-cou...

With the mutation of the Covid-19 virus and a new wave of travel restrictions crewing specialist Danica warns that the height of the crew change crisis in spring 2020 could be repeated.

Say bye to Boracay’s wooden-hulled boats
Boy Ryan B. Zabal - January 15, 2021 https://www.panaynews.net/say-bye-to-boracays-wooden-hulled-boats/

BORACAY – Wooden-hulled passenger boats are no longer allowed to operate the Caticlan-Boracay Island route beginning Jan. 19.

Singapore’s 2020 maritime performance resilient despite global COVID-19 hurdles: Minister
15/01/2021 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/singapores-2020-maritime-performanc...

Charterers under pressure to resolve Chinese coal carrier impasse
Jason Jiang January 14, 2021 https://splash247.com/charterers-under-pressure-to-resolve-chinese-coal-...

Charterers are coming under pressure to resolve the dry bulk standoff on China’s coastline that has stranded more than 1,100 seafarers.

Finding visual poetry on the high seas
Yashika F. Torib January 13, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/13/business/maritime-business/findin...

Pacific nation of Micronesia sees 1st virus case
The Associated Press January 12, 2021 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/01/12/pacific-nation-of-micronesia-se...

The small Pacific nation of Micronesia has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a crewmember on an arriving ship tested positive.

Home to 100,000 people, Micronesia had been among a dwindling handful of island nations to have avoided the virus altogether.

COVID-19 masks mischief in the South China Sea
Carlyle Thayer, 13 January 2021 https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/01/13/covid-19-masks-mischief-in-the-...

Key developments in the South China Sea in 2020 were shaped by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, international lawfare, and maritime security.

Deadline for seafarer’s competence assessment set June 30
Raymond Carl Dela Cruz January 6, 2021 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126514

MANILA – All seafarers who are completing their competence assessment under the old system of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have been given a final extension, with the deadline now set on June 30.