Latest posts
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Pirates Board Product Tanker in Gulf of Guinea, First Nigeria Incident in Four Years
A product tanker was boarded by pirates this week more than 100 nautical miles south of Nigeria’s coast, marking the first such incident involving a commercial vessel near Nigeria in four years. While the crew followed safety protocols and avoided harm, security experts warn that piracy risks remain high across the Gulf of Guinea and…
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2024 Marks Worst Year Ever for Seafarer Abandonment, ITF Reports
The abandonment of seafarers has reached unprecedented levels, with new data from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) showing an 87% surge in cases in 2024 compared to the previous year. A staggering 3,133 seafarers were abandoned last year, which is nearly double the 1,676 recorded in 2023. The number of abandoned vessels also skyrocketed by 136%, from 132 in 2023 to 312 in 2024.…
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Rise in Crew Abandonment Cases
The global shipping industry continues to grapple with the escalating crisis of crew abandonment, with 54 ships and their crews deserted so far in 2025 thereby putting this year on track to become the second-worst on record. Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that abandonment cases have soared in recent years, worsened by…
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Steering Failure Triggered Ferry Sinking, Safety Panel Confirms
A new investigation into the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster has determined that the tragedy began with a steering malfunction, followed by a cargo shift that overwhelmed the unstable vessel. On April 16, 2014, the Sewol ferry capsized off South Korea’s Jindo County, killing 304 people, most of them high school students. The captain abandoned ship early, instructing passengers to…
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Seafarers Secure Landmark Reforms to Global Maritime Labour Agreement
In a historic move, shipowners, governments, and labor unions have reached a consensus on major updates to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the cornerstone international agreement safeguarding seafarers’ working and living conditions. These groundbreaking amendments come as the modern MLC approaches its 20th anniversary, having consolidated 37 previous conventions when adopted in 2006. The revisions address…
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Carbon Allowances in Shipping: A Guide to Emissions Regulations
The maritime industry is undergoing a major shift toward decarbonization, with carbon allowances emerging as a key tool to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This system, now enforced by the European Union (EU) and under consideration by global regulators, requires shipping companies to account for their carbon output financially. What Are Carbon Allowances? Carbon allowances…
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New Shipping Regulations & Emissions by IMO
The global shipping industry is undergoing a transformative period as stringent new environmental regulations come into force, compelling operators to rapidly adapt their fleets and operations to meet ambitious decarbonization targets. The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) revised GHG strategy, adopted in July 2023, has set unprecedented emissions reduction goals – including a 20% reduction in…
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Spike in Air Freight Demand Due to Red Sea Crisis
The ongoing Red Sea shipping crisis has triggered an unprecedented surge in air freight demand as global businesses scramble to maintain supply chain continuity amid prolonged maritime disruptions. With hundreds of container ships being diverted around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope – adding weeks to delivery times – manufacturers and retailers are increasingly turning to…
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The Red Sea Crisis and Its Ongoing Impact on Global Shipping
The Red Sea crisis, fueled by persistent Houthi rebel attacks, continues to disrupt global shipping, forcing vessels to avoid one of the world’s most critical trade routes. Since November 2023, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants have targeted commercial ships with missiles, drones, and hijackings, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite U.S.-led naval…
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Report Calls for Action on Seafarer Shortage
The Nautilus Federation, a coalition of 21 global trade unions representing shipping and inland waterways transport, has released a groundbreaking report aimed at driving real action on the recruitment and retention of seafarers. With the industry facing an escalating shortage of maritime professionals, the report—Recruitment and Retention of Seafarers: A Synthesis of Study Evidence—compiles extensive…