SEAFARERS LOGS

May01

President’s Column

At long last, I’m happy to report that I have completed my COVID-19 vaccinations. There’s no shortage of “getting back to normal” things I’m looking forward to as the year progresses, but visiting with all of my family tops the list. Vaccines are an everyday topic around the world. Personally, I’ve learned a lot about…
May01

‘Salute to Congress’ Event Recognizes DeFazio, Buzby

The global COVID-19 pandemic continues affecting most if not all parts of life, and it prominently figured in the respective remarks of this year’s Salute to Congress honorees. The annual event, sponsored by the Propeller Club of the United States, is considered one of the maritime industry’s most prestigious gatherings. This year’s honorees are U.S.…
May01

Suez Incident Causes Shipping Backlog

Worldwide attention focused on the maritime industry in late March, as the runaway-flag vessel Ever Given became wedged tight inside the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most important shipping waterways. On March 23, the Ever Given was transiting the Suez Canal when it was caught in a sandstorm. The vessel lost control and ran…
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LATEST NEWS

May15
News

Maritime Alert

From the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: U.S. Maritime Alert 2021-006A Threat Type: Threat to Commercial Vessels Geographic Area: Eastern Mediterranean Multiple maritime incidents have been reported in the vicinity of the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Ashkelon on May 11-12, 2021. The nature of these incidents is reported to be rocket strikes, which landed in and…
May13
News

AMP Addresses Jones Act Waiver

The American Maritime Partnership, to which the SIU is affiliated, has issued the following statement: For Immediate Release: May 13, 2021 Media Contact: [email protected]  WASHINGTON – The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, today released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s issuance of a targeted Jones Act waiver in…
May13
News

Statement by SIU Regarding Jones Act Waivers

The SIU continues to fully support the Jones Act, as we’ve done without exception since our founding in 1938. At the same time, we have never objected to waiving the Jones Act if doing so is a truly necessary response to national emergencies. Any waiver must not come at the expense of American jobs. One…
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COVID UPDATES

May07

ITF Ramps Up Efforts for Crew Changes

From the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), to which the SIU is affiliated. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, quoted in the release and pictured below, also serves as an ITF official. No more excuses for global brands as new tool launched in fight to resolve crew change crisis 06 May 2021 Press Release The world’s seafarers’…
May06

Update on Annual Physicals

Beginning July 1, 2021, an annual physical through the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan will be required prior to shipping out. The SIU and the American Maritime Association (AMA, representing companies that are signatory to the standard freightship and tanker agreements) last year had dropped the requirement for a union physical, due to pandemic-related considerations.…
May05

State Department: Notice to Mariners with International Voyages

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Department of State Passport Services office on May 3. NOTICE TO MARINERS WITH INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES Due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, Passport Services continues to have limited operations at our passport agencies and centers. We will assist mariners who urgently need…
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