1. Philippines auto-renews seafarers document validity by a year
With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no sign of slowing, the Philippines has extended the validity of the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates held by Filipino seafarers for one year. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/philippines-auto-renews-seafarers-document-validity-by-a-year/
2. Crew change crisis: Governments need to heed MLC obligations
Proper enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) is the only way to ensure seafarers are repatriated home. Governments, and flag States, need to carry out their legislative obligations under MLC so that the crew change crisis is not exacerbated further, maritime experts say.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/crew-change-crisis-governments-need-to-heed-mlc-obligations/
3. Three dead, one missing in Wakashio salvage vessel sinking
Three crew members are dead and one is missing after the Mauritius Port Authority (MPA) tug they were on board collided with the oil barge it was towing. The MPA tug, Sir Gaetan Duval, sank after the collision. Both vessels were involved in the Wakashio salvage operation.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/two-dead-two-missing-in-wakashio-salvage-vessel-sinking/
4. Total Enters Giant Korean Floating Wind Projects in Green Push
Total SE will team up with Macquarie Group’s green bank to develop more than 2 gigawatts of floating wind farms off South Korea, the latest push by the French oil and gas giant to diversify into clean energy. https://gcaptain.com/total-enters-giant-korean-floating-wind-projects-in-green-push/
5. Winter Sea Ice in Bering Sea Reached Lowest Levels in Millennia, Study Shows
The Bering Sea ice cover during the winters of 2018 and 2019 hit new lows not seen in thousands of years, scientists reported on Wednesday, adding to concerns about the accelerating impact of climate change in the Arctic. https://gcaptain.com/winter-sea-ice-in-bering-sea-reached-lowest-levels-in-millennia-study-shows/
6. Livestock Carrier with 43 Crew Goes Missing Off Japan
The Japanese Coast Guard is searching for a livestock carrier with 43 crew members on board after a distress signal was sent from the vessel on Wednesday. Reports say the Gulf Livestock 1 issued a distress signal at around 1:20 a.m. local time Wednesday while around 115 miles west of Amami Oshima Island in southwestern Japan. https://gcaptain.com/livestock-carrier-with-43-crew-goes-missing-off-japan/
7. The growth of maritime informatics
The maritime industry recognises there is a need for smarter collaboration to enhance operations, satisfy clients’ expectation of transparency and predictability and respond to societal concerns. Maritime Informatics, originally defined as “the application of information systems to increase the efficiency, safety, and ecological sustainability of the world’s shipping industry” was developed by data scientists to meet the needs of practice and to be applied cooperatively by practitioners and data scientists.
https://splash247.com/the-growth-of-maritime-informatics/
8. Ample Supply Weighs On Global Marine Fuel Markets In September
Global marine fuel 0.5% prices are expected to be capped by increasing supply and depressed demand from the retail sector in September as refiners continue to grapple with weak low sulfur fuel oil margins.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Ample+supply+weighs+on+global+marine+fuel+markets+in+September
9. Baltic Index Falls On Weaker Capesize, Panamax Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index dropped on Wednesday, pressured by a dip in capesize and panamax vessel rates. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell 26 points, or 1.8%, to 1,445. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+falls+on+weaker+capesize%2C+panamax+rates
10. Support For Stranded Seafarers
Pre COVID-19 seafarer life at sea was already tough with 60% of the 1.5 million Seafarers worldwide suffering from depression and the highest industrial suicide rate in the world. Some seafarers at times have to endure war zones, piracy, slave labour and abandonment. The average seafarer contract at sea can last up to 9 months away from home. Since the 1980’s the Anglican led Mission to Seafarers Nelson has supported tens of thousands of seafarers who at various times were absent from family events like childbirth, graduations, birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and funerals. Mission to Seafarers Nelson is solely funded by the generosity of donations and grant applications. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Support+for+stranded+seafarers
