Security

The Coast Guard has announced conditions of entry for vessels arriving from the Republic of Cuba in the Federal Register. In accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 70108, as amended, and the Department of State’s designation of the Republic of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the Coast Guard has determined that Cuba is not… Read more: USCG: Conditions of Entry for Vessels Arriving from Cuba

 A press report states: Asphalt tanker Bitu River (IMO: 9918133), which was boarded by three armed pirates, approximately 38 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio (Sao Tome and Principe), near position lat 01 18 56N, long 008 01 42E, West Africa, at 2130 hrs, Mar 17: According to reports, the vessel was en route from Lome, Togo… Read more: Asphalt Tanker Boarded by Pirates off West of Africa, 10 Crew Suspected Abducted

The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority said bulk carrier MJ Pinar (IMO: 9406051), was damaged in a Russian missile attack in Odesa, on Mar 11, while loading grain destined for Algeria. Ukrainian and four seafarers reportedly died. According to reports, MJ Pinar caught fire after an Iskander-M missile with a cluster warhead exploded in the port of Odesa, which is… Read more: Another Missile Attack on Odesa Port Leaves Four Seafarer Dead

New data from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reveals abandonment of seafarers by ship-owners increased by 87% in 2024 from the previous year.  The abandonment of seafarers is spiralling out of control, increasing nearly two-fold with 3,133 seafarers abandoned by ship-owners in 2024 compared to 1,676 in 2023.   A total 312 vessels were abandoned… Read more: ITF: 2024 Worst Year on Record for Seafarer Abandonment

The vessels operating in the Indian Ocean region are advised that the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) and UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) have aligned their reporting areas to reduce confusion among seafarers. Previously, the IFC’s Voluntary Community Reporting (VCR) area overlapped with UKMTO’s Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA), leading to duplicate reporting for some vessels. To… Read more: IFC / UKMTO – Voluntary Reporting Area in the Indian Ocean