COVID-19

Mandatory internet for seafarers

seafarers internet

Seafarers’ groups have won the right to mandatory social connectivity for crews –including internet access – in updates to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), but are disappointed that shipowners and governments may seek to charge for it.

The MLC is an international treaty designed to protect seafarers’ rights and has been ratified by more than 100 countries, who represent over 90% of the world fleet. One of its provisions is that governments, shipowners and seafarer representatives meet...

https://maritime-professionals.com/mandatory-internet-for-seafarers/

Shanghai port shows recovery signs after latest pandemic lockdown

The port of Shanghai handled more than 3.08 million TEU in April, which represents 82.4% of the box volumes recorded in April 2021.

This is a sign of recovery, according to China’s Ministry of Transport, which said in a press briefing that operations in the world’s busiest container port are gradually returning to normal, after the serious disruptions caused by Covid-19 lockdown measures.

During the first four months of the year, the port has moved 15.35 million TEU, which translates to a slight...

https://container-news.com/shanghai-port-shows-recovery-signs-after-latest-pandemic-lockdown/

Viewpoint: Shanghai’s reopening pledge nothing more than the boy who cried wolf

COVID workers in Shanghai.

Another week — and another pledge that the lockdown in Shanghai may be lifted. It’s not the first time this has been announced. 

And it won’t be the last.

The city’s vice mayor, Wu Qing, said at a news conference Thursday that there would be an “orderly opening, limited [population] flow and differentiated management.” Yet, no date has been set.

How many times do these false alarms have to be stated? “Actions speak louder than words” applies to this situation. The government’s actions are not...

https://www.freightwaves.com/false-hope-for-shanghais-reopening-after-covid-lockdown

Shipping industry repatriates over 600 i-Kiribati seafarers trapped by COVID restrictions

Pictured: a fully-cellular containership heads into the sunset; Credit: Pixabay

The full repatriation of over 600 i-Kiribati seafarers to Tarawa, capital of the Republic of Kiribati, has been completed.

Six seafarers have recently touched down in Tarawa, marking the end of a two-year period of repatriation blighted by pandemic-related restrictions and delays.

The repatriation was led by a coalition of employers, unions and NGOs, in tandem with the government of Kiribati, who successfully navigated...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/shipping-industry-repatriates-over-600-i-kiribati-seafarers-trapped-by-covid-restrictions/

Shanghai-bound reefer bookings resume as lockdown set to end 20 May

As Shanghai prepares to lift its lockdown by 20 May, liner operators have said that they will resume reefer bookings into the world’s busiest container port.

Shanghai vice-mayor Wu Qing said at a press conference today (13 May) that the city will gradually lift movement restrictions between 11 and 20 May, nearly two months after the lockdown began.

Maersk Line said in an advisory that its first post-lockdown reefer cargo accepted is expected to arrive in Shanghai from 26 June onwards.

Freight...

https://container-news.com/shanghai-bound-reefer-bookings-resume-as-lockdown-set-to-end-20-may/

Navy Nearing 1,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Denial Separations

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Gregzon Fontanilla, from Guam, prepares a COVID-19 vaccine aboard the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) on May 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Navy has approved nearly 1,000 separations for sailors who have refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Navy now has 924 separations over the COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 40 over the previous week.

The majority of separations are active-duty sailors, with 836 active-duty sailors separated and 66...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/11/navy-nearing-1000-covid-19-vaccine-denial-separations

COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Separations Increase to 884

Seaman Apprentice Johnnese Poomaihealani, from Waianae, Hawaii, receives a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot during a shot event in the foc’sle aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Jan. 3, 2022. US Navy Photo

Navy separations due to continued refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine rose by nearly 70 sailors over the past week.

Approved separations, which do not necessarily mean the sailor has yet left the service, are now at 884, according to the Navy’s weekly COVID-19 update.

The Navy has the second...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/09/covid-19-vaccine-refusal-separations-increase-to-884

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