Cat Marine’s Post

At the recent International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Congress, I had the opportunity to speak on the vital issues affecting transport workers, particularly our seafarers. I focused on three key areas: 1. Seafarers as Key Workers: Despite their essential role, seafarers are often denied basic rights like crew change and shore leave. We must recognize their contributions and ensure these rights are respected. 2. Criminalization of Transport Workers: High-profile cases like the MV X-Press Pearl and MV Phoenician M highlight how seafarers bear the brunt in crises, facing penalties for circumstances often beyond their control. This must change. 3. Decarbonisation Responsibility: While transport plays a crucial role in our net-zero journey, it should not shoulder the entire burden. A balanced, collaborative approach is needed to achieve meaningful progress. Our seafarers deserve support, respect, and fair treatment as we move forward. #itfcongress2024 #seafarers

Our latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin focuses on conditions of employment. Issues relating to conditions of employment continue to make up most of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) complaints received by AMSA. These complaints relate to seafarer employment agreements, wages, hours of work and rest, entitlement to leave, repatriation, and crewing levels. This indicates that the MLC requirements that address employment conditions of seafarers are not being fully implemented by some owners and operators. Owners and operators must comply with the MLC requirements and adhere to seafarers’ work agreements to ensure healthy, safe and secure work environments. Find out more in the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin: https://ow.ly/16YR50R77Aw #SafeSeas #SafetyAtSea #WorkplaceSafety #SeaWorkingConditions

𝐓𝐋;𝐃𝐑: The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has released its 2023 figures on #vessel abandonments, revealing a concerning increase from the previous year. There has been a 10.92% increase compared to 2022, with 132 reported cases, the majority of which came from the ITF. Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, abandonment occurs when #shipowners fail to cover repatriation costs, provide necessary maintenance and support, or unilaterally sever ties, including non-payment of contractual wages for at least two months. Key findings include owed wages exceeding $12.1 million from 129 reported cases, 1,676 #seafarers seeking help, and Indian seafarers being the most abandoned with over 400 cases. Read more about the 2023 vessel abandonments figures here: https://lnkd.in/e6zgi_vn #SMOU #MaritimeSafety #SeafarersRights

The Added Cost of Sailing the Red Sea Aside from added fuel and time to avoid the Red Sea under Houthi attacks, now seafarers can refuse to sail there. The costs are adding up but so far limited impact to American consumers. European and Asian markets however will feel inflationary pressures from all this first… and have been leading the U.S. in inflationary trends. “…the unions representing the majority of seafarers are making changes to the standard contract including adding the right for seafarers to refuse to sail in the region.” “…in a February 7 meeting, that starting in seven days they would add a condition for “seafarers’ right to refuse to sail” into the defined High Risk Area. They also agreed to expand the definition of the area from the Southern Red Sea to include larger areas in the Gulf of Aden…” “…seafarers must be given seven days' notice before entering the High Risk Area…agreed in December to the implementation of the High Risk Area definition. Seafarers working in the area… receive a bonus while in the region equal to their wages and double compensation in the event of death or disability.” https://lnkd.in/eDsfYE3V

Seafarers now have union support to contractually refuse to work vessels in the Red Sea region. They will also receivebonus pay for work in the area. Many shipowners and lines have by now rerouted around the area, but some owners are still transiting. Merchant vessels continue to be targeted by the Houthis. From the article: “With concerns continuing over the ongoing escalation in the Red Sea and danger to ships and their crews, the unions representing the majority of seafarers are making changes to the standard contract including adding the right for seafarers to refuse to sail in the region. While the pace of attacks coming from the Houthi in Yemen appears to have slowed in recent days, the International Bargaining Forum is nonetheless concerned about the threats to safety and the escalations since its previous meeting. The International Transport Workers’ Federation, the union federation representing seafarers, and the Joint Negotiating Group of unions and employer organizations, however, note that seafarers aboard the Galaxy Leader have been held hostage since November 19, 2023. The group “strongly condemns the actions,” calling for the release of the crew and to immediately cease further hostile activities. Citing these dangers, the organizations agreed in a February 7th meeting, that starting in seven days they would add a condition for “seafarers’ right to refuse to sail” into the defined High Risk Area.”

Conditions of employment continue to attract most complaints Complaints relating conditions of employment continue to make up the majority (54 per cent) of the Maritime Labour Convention complaints reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority last year, AMSA has reported, which is consistent with previous years. The proportion of these complaints in relation to others decreased slightly from 57 per cent in 2022 to 54 per cent in 2023, it was noted. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXNMPR2x #auspol #ShippingAustraliaLimited #maritime #maritimeindustry #freightforwarding #logistics #shippingindustry #shipping #stevedoring #shipagency #shipagents #freight #shipsandshipping #seafarers #seafaring #cargo #customsbrokers #ports #trucking #truckingindustry #australia #maritimelogistics #exports #imports #supplychaindisruption #supplychain #supplychains #supplychainmanagement #import #export #importexport #industrialrelations #seafreight

On this Labor Day, we recognize the hard work of maritime workers around the globe and our very own TraPac employees and #ILWU Longshore labor. Your efforts drive progress and connect the world, one port at a time. ⚓️🚢💪 #LaborDay #MaritimeIndustry #TeamTraPac #Logistics #GlobalTrade

𝐁𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫" “Collective bargaining is the best way for #workers to get the pay and benefits they deserve.” 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 said: "Ocean carriers have made record profits since the pandemic and in some cases profits grew in excess of 800 percent compared to their profits prior to the pandemic. Executive compensation has grown in line with those profits and profits have been returned to shareholders at record rates. It’s only fair that workers, who put themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep ports open, see a meaningful increase in their wages as well." 👉 𝐓𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/d5rvT2rh Biden for President | Peter Sand | Christian Roeloffs | Judah Levine | Dan Morgan-Evans | Xeneta | Container xChange | Freightos | Air Charter Service | #BidenStatement #FairWagesNow #LongshoremenRights #USMXvsILA

It's time for seafarers to enjoy safer workplaces and fair recognition for their relentless efforts. 🚢 The transformative IBF Framework Agreement promises a well-deserved 6% wage increase for over 250,000 seafarers across 10,000 ships worldwide. This pivotal change, effective from 2024 to 2027, marks a significant stride towards acknowledging their invaluable contribution to the global economy. 💼 The deal doesn't stop at pay rises. It enforces a commitment to eradicating workplace violence, discrimination, and harassment, aligning with ILO Convention 190. This is a monumental step towards ensuring seafarers' rights and safety are paramount. 🛡️ Moreover, the agreement paves the way for tackling the future's challenges. From embracing new technologies to transitioning to alternative fuels, it lays the groundwork for a sustainable maritime industry. 🌍 This landmark pact is not just about immediate benefits; it's about setting a precedent for the industry, ensuring seafarers are equipped, valued, and prepared for the evolving demands of the maritime sector. ⚓ As we celebrate this milestone, one question remains: How will these changes inspire the next generation of maritime professionals? #seafarers #maritime #shipping