Maritime News
The National Convention adopts three resolutions
The 12th National Convention of the Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association was held in Harstad recently and adopted three resolutions at the close of the meeting:
1. The meeting gave its support to the process considering membership of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO).
2. The competitiveness of the refund scheme for mariners must be maintained.
3. Norway’s commitment to fighting piracy originating in Somalia.
The National Convention noted that piracy originating in Somalia is threatening shipping throughout the Indian Ocean, where at any given time there will be some 100 Norwegian vessels carrying in the region of 2500 mariners, 200-300 of whom are Norwegian citizens.
The meeting noted that the mariners in the region, and their families, are living in constant fear and worry as a consequence of the threat that this piracy represents.
The National Convention expects Norway to make meaningful military contribution for as long as this continues to be necessary.
Passenger ship safety recommendations agreed by IMO’s Maritime Safety
Recommended interim measures aimed at enhancing the safety of passenger ships, in the wake of the Costa Concordia incident in January, were agreed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization’s London Headquarters from 16 to 25 May 2012.
The MSC adopted a resolution, which invites Member States to recommend the passenger ship companies conduct a review of operational safety measures, to ships flying their flag, on a voluntary basis and “with all possible urgency and efficiency”, taking into consideration the recommended interim operational measures listed in an MSC circular.
Seafarers’ Trust announces latest grants
The ITF Seafarers’ Trust, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a major seminar in London on seafarers, welfare, today announced its latest grants.
The following donations, totaling £1,078,533 (USD 1,711,685) have been agreed to be distributed to:
1. World Maritime University
2. CSW (International Committee on Seafares’ Welfare)
3. The International Maritime Health Association (IMHA)
4. The Chauncy Maples project which is renovating a ship on Lake Malawi to provide medical services to isolated maritime and fishing communities. The focus of the health project will be prevention of HIV/AIDS
5. The Hub of Wallasey, retired seafarers’ centre near Liverpool towards a new building
6. The North American Maritime Ministry Association