seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

First Pinoy-made RoRo ship launched
Michael Joe Delizo, Aug 18 2019 https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/18/19/first-pinoy-made-roro-ship-la...

MANILA — The first Filipino-made roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel was launched Saturday at North Harbor in the capital, providing a potential boost to the local ship-building industry.

The 468-seater M/V Isla Simara passenger ship with a 12-meter long vehicle ramp is the brainchild of Shogun Ships Corp. Inc. and Josefa Slipways Inc.

Sex trafficking by ro-ro ship, Philippines
Mikhail Voytenko December 19, 2019 https://maritimebulletin.net/2019/12/19/sex-trafficking-by-ro-ro-ship-ph...

Cruise ship passenger falls from ship near Mahia
30 December 2019 https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/406369/cruise-ship-passenger-falls-f...

The search for a man who fell off a cruise ship last night in Hawke's Bay has resumed this morning.

The man was reported overboard from the Norwegian Jewel near the Mahia Peninsula about 7pm.

Two helicopters - from Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust and Eastland Rescue Trust - arrived on the scene an hour later.

Abandoned seamen yet to return home from Mozambique
30/12/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/abandoned-seamen-yet-to-return-home...

When 10 Kenyan seafarers flew out to Mozambique in August reportedly to board a ship on a long voyage to Iran, they had no clue what lay ahead.

They had been recruited by Spanfreight shipping agent but were told they would sign their employment contracts in Mozambique where the ship owner is based.

Philippines seems confident for EMSA audit
29/12/19 https://safety4sea.com/philippines-seems-confident-for-emsa-audit/

The Philippine's Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) expressed confidence it will address all deficiencies surrounding seafarers' training and certification in light of the next EMSA audit in February 2020.

Remittances grow despite uncertainties
December 17, 2019 https://www.bworldonline.com/remittances-grow-despite-uncertainties/

CASH sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) grew at the fastest clip in a year to their biggest amount, so far, for 2019 in October, global uncertainties notwithstanding, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday.

Prolonged US-China trade war to hurt shipbuilding, seafarer hiring
Louella Desiderio October 31, 2019 https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/31/1964780/prolonged-us-china-...

MANILA,Philippines — A prolonged trade war between the US and China could slow down seafarer recruitment in the Philippines, as well as in shipbuilding globally, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) said.

Be Mindful of Mental Health But Don’t Unfairly Stigmatize Seafarers
Captain Kuba Szymanski 12-21-2019 https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/be-mindful-of-mental-healt...

More Piracy Incidents in the Singapore Strait
12-22-2019 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/three-more-piracy-incidents-i...

Credit: ReCAAP ISC

ReCAAP ISC has again issued a warning about piracy incidents involving ships underway in the eastbound lane of Singapore Strait.

Well-Trained Crew Will be Assets in Shipping’s Greener Future
12-28-2019 https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/well-trained-crew-will-be-...

Seafarers are set to be viewed as an asset rather than a commodity in the future as the global maritime sector embraces greener technology that requires a more skilled workforce.