Seafarers

India raises seafarer abandonment crisis at IMO; secures seat at council

India has called for effective measures to resolve the issue of seafarer abandonment and ensuring the safety of maritime workforce, an official statement said on Wednesday. A high-level Indian delegation led by Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary T K Ramachandaran raised the issue at the 132nd session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. In recognition of its continued commitment to address seafarers' issues, India secured its position as one of the eight governments representing IMO in the joint tripartite working group, it said. "India, an elected member of the IMO Council in the category of countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, emphasised the urgent issue of seafarer abandonment," the statement said. The delegation pointed out that despite efforts, there are 44 active cases involving 292 Indian seafarers, the statement added. "India's strong stance on the need for effective measures and oversight to resolv

Project initiated to collate data of Indian seafarers in jails abroad

The Maritime Union of India (MUI), which represents merchant navy officers, has initiated a 'Service to Stranded Seafarers' project

Indian seafarers' body inks 6 pacts worth Rs 225 cr with shipping regulator

The six MoUs are to the tune of Rs 225 crore in a span of five years

Global investors call for end to seafarers marooned at sea due to Covid

A group of investors called for an end to a crisis involving hundreds of thousands of seafarers stuck on ships for months due to Covid, warning the situation was creating bigger risks every day

Amazon's Jeff Bezos called upon to save thousands of stranded seafarers

Industry bodies including the International Chamber of Shipping wrote an open letter urging Bezos to exert pressure on the incoming Biden administration and other leaders

Merchant Navy union collaborates with UN to help stranded Indian seafarers

Travel restrictions mean some cannot leave their ships or be repatriated home, or even get urgent medical assistance

Unilever, P&G push suppliers to rescue more than 300,000 seafarers

The letter, which was sent Wednesday to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is the latest call to address a growing humanitarian crisis at sea brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic

World Coronavirus Dispatch: Air travel picks up on domestic flight recovery

US sets new one-day record with 60,500 cases, Russian deaths cross 11,000, bringing home seafarers stuck on ships and other pandemic-related news across the globe

Shipping companies plan extra charters to bring 20,000 seafarers home

Seafarers typically join merchant vessels or return to India each month as a part of their contracts. But due to Covid-19 lockdowns and travel curbs, the crew change process got delayed

Little hope of returning home for seafarers stranded at sea amid lockdown

Limited supplies, seasickness and a repatriation plan that comes with several complications has made life particularly hard for this lot

About 40,000 Indian seafarers stranded across globe due to lockdown

NUSI, MUI and MASSA said that they have raised the issue with the Shipping Ministry, which has assured to extend all possible help for the return of these seafarers after the lockdown is lifted.

India, Korea to ink pact for seafarers, boost bilateral ties: Gadkari

India and South Korea are set to boost bilateral ties in ports and shipping space and will sign pact to provide Indian seafarers employment on over 500 Korean ships, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today. Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Gadkari, who will be on a four-day visit to Korea beginning tomorrow, said both the nations are also eyeing partnerships in shipbuilding, waterways and smart transportation, among others. "Both the nations will sign an undertaking for mutual recognition of certificate of competency of seafarers. It will be beneficial to both the countries as Korea is a large ship owning nation, while India is a large seafaring nation with over 1.5 lakh seafarers. "The agreement will facilitate Indian seafarers to work on Korean ships as there is requirement of seafarers. Korean entities as of now own more than 500 foreign going ships," Gadkari told PTI. Gadkari said signing of the ...