Shipowners Who Force Seafarers To Sail High-Risk Areas May Face Sanctions

Shipping — Image for representation purposes only

The Department of Migrant Workers or DMW will sanction ship owners if they violate the right of Filipino seafarers to refuse to sail through the Gulf of Aden or Red Sea amidst Houthi attacks on shipping.

DMW will ensure that ship owners comply with the right of seamen to refuse to board ships that pass through high-risk waterways near Yemen, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.

He added that the DMW could block the exit clearance processing of shipowners who refuse to honour seafarers’ right to refuse to sail through the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden.

Houthis have attacked ships that transited near Yemeni waters with Filipino seafarers onboard.

Also, Cacdac mentioned that DMW has restricted Filipino seafarers from sailing in high-risk areas.

This means that if a ship owner with Filipino seafarers onboard has been a target of a minimum of 40 attacks, the DMW will not allow Filipino seafarers to board those vessels.

Cacdac added that the DMW has barred Filipino sailors from boarding nine ship owners whose vessels cross the high-risk areas as they have been a target of attack previously.

The nine ship owners cover three major cases: when the ship was taken hostage off the Port of Hodeida in Yemen, the incident where 2 Filipino seafarers died and another incident where a seafarer went missing.

Cacdac said that 70% of ships redirected their routes to ensure crew member safety. These ships will navigate the sea through the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

Cacdac added that it adds 15 to 20 days of additional voyage time, but it’s worth it for the security of the seafarers.

References: GMA Network, B World Online

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