COVID-19 restrictions

Challenges in Securing Vaccines, Seafarers Stuck in Chaos

  • Difficulties securing vaccines mean seafarers face job losses as well as obstacles to returning home after finishing contracts.
  • Overworked crew members have been forced to stay on board even after their contracts expired due to a lack of crew change options.

  • Indian seafarers left in limbo as coronavirus restrictions create chaos in shipping industry.

A recent news article published in the SCMP by Sonia Sarkar reveals that seafarers are left uncared and are in limbo due to the Covid 19...

https://mfame.guru/challenges-in-securing-vaccines-seafarers-stuck-in-chaos/

Covid 19 Reduced Ship Traffic in 2020, Says Research

  • Ship movements on the world’s oceans dropped in the first half of 2020 as Covid-19 restrictions came into force, a new study shows.
  • Researchers used a satellite vessel-tracking system to compare ship and boat traffic in January to June 2020 with the same period in 2019.
  • Global declines peaked in April 2020, but by June – as Covid restrictions were eased in many countries – ship movements began to increase.

An Eurekalert news article says ship traffic dropped during first months of Covid...

https://mfame.guru/covid-19-reduced-ship-traffic-in-2020-says-research/

Global Reinsurers Face Major Loss From Suez Canal Blockage

According to Fitch Ratings, the global reinsurance industry is likely to face a loss of hundreds of millions of euros due to the blocking of the Suez Canal, says an article published in Reuters.

Losses for the reinsurance industry

Even as rescue teams were successful in refloating the world’s largest container ship, the blocking of the Suez Canal is likely to result in losses worth hundreds of millions of euros for the reinsurance industry.

What happened?

The 400-metre (430-yard) long Ever Given...

https://mfame.guru/global-reinsurers-face-major-loss-from-suez-canal-blockage/

[Watch] Leading Shipping Companies Sign Up To Neptune Declaration

To overcome the seafarer crisis by enabling smooth crew change and repatriation, major shipping companies sign the Neptune Declaration, says an article published in Global Maritime Forum website.

About Neptune Declaration

The Neptune Declaration, signed by more than 300 organizations, outlines the main actions that need to be taken to resolve the crew change crisis.

For more information read our article Shipping Companies Work Together To Help Sailors Stuck at Sea

The Neptune Declaration was...

https://mfame.guru/watch-leading-shipping-companies-sign-up-to-neptune-declaration/

Armed Assailant Threatens People With NO MASK

A man got accused of pointing a gun at a fitness club manager in the twin cities of MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP) after complaining that members were exercising without masks was charged Monday with assault with a dangerous weapon, reports MSN news.

The Accusation

Michael Florhaug, 64, was arrested following the incident Thursday at LA Fitness in Maplewood. Prosecutors said assistant manager Mike Olson, who thought Florhaug was going to shoot members without masks, eventually tackled Florhaug, took the...

https://mfame.guru/armed-assailant-threatens-people-with-no-mask/

Scientists Travel With Half Capacity To Antarctica In Times of Covid

A scientific expedition team of 43 members are set to leave for Antarctica from Goa on January 6, reports Hindustan Times.

About the team

Scientists, engineers, doctors and technicians are members of the team and are led by three polar veterans, said Javed Beg, group director (Antarctic Operations and Infrastructure) at the National Centre for Polar and Oceanic Research (NCPOR) in Goa.

40th scientific expedition 

With just half capacity

This is India’s 40th scientific expedition to Antarctica and...

https://mfame.guru/scientists-travel-with-half-capacity-to-antarctica-in-times-of-covid/

[Watch] UK Imposes the Harshest Lockdown To Tame the New COVID Strain

  • UK imposes fresh lockdown till where people cannot leave their homes till Feb
  • These include essential medical needs, food shopping, exercise and work for those who cannot do so from home
  • All schools and colleges will close to most pupils from Tuesday with remote learning until February half term
  • Early years settings such as nurseries will stay open
  • End-of-year exams will not take place this summer as normal
  • Elsewhere, university students should not return to campuses and will be taught online
  • R...

https://mfame.guru/watch-uk-imposes-the-harshest-lockdown-to-tame-the-new-covid-strain/

MPA Singapore Tightens Covid-19 Testing Rules After Recent Cases

According to Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) a marine surveyor and a harbour pilot had tested positive for COVID-19 infection on 30 and 31 December 2020 respectively, reports SeaNews.

COVID-19 safe management Shore 

Recent COVID-19 infection 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had earlier reported that a marine surveyor and a harbour pilot had tested positive for COVID-19 infection on 30 and 31 December 2020 respectively. 

Contact tracing 

Contact tracing is underway to prevent the clusters from...

https://mfame.guru/mpa-singapore-tightens-covid-19-testing-rules-after-recent-cases/

Kids Back To School With Tougher Covid 19 Restrictions

  • The Prime Minister told parents to send children back to primary school on Monday but hinted ‘tougher’ restrictions could be coming down the track.
  • Parents should send their children to primary school in England on Monday, the Prime Minister has said.
  • But he hinted that ‘tougher’ restrictions could be coming down the track – including school closures.
  • Primary schools are open across much of England, with closures in Covid hotspots such as London.
  • Secondary schools are facing a staggered start,...

https://mfame.guru/kids-back-to-school-with-tougher-covid-19-restrictions/

BIMCO Launches Special Christmas Tribute for Seafarers

In a major development, BIMCO has announced that it’s organising a special tribute to seafarers for this Christmas in order to show solidarity and support for them during this COVID-19 challenging times, says an article published on their website. 

BIMCO members are encouraged to participate to send out a strong message of support and appreciation for these key workers.

Seafarers Not Forgotten in Christmas

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world at large bringing in a new normality for 2020....

https://mfame.guru/bimco-launches-special-christmas-tribute-for-seafarers/

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