Seafarers covered by International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreements can refuse to sail through the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, but it takes a high level of pre-planning according to ITF head Stephen Cotton.
The shipping industry has united in calling for the immediate release of 25 seafarers on board the Galaxy Leader held hostage by Houthi Rebels for three months now.
US Central Command (Centcom) announced its latest success in capturing arms destined for the Houthi Movement, however, attacks continue with a strike against a Greek ship on 15 February.
Diversions from transiting the Red Sea to avoid Houthi attacks have significantly strengthened ton mile demand to the benefit of investors listed product tanker owners.
Over 50 vessels attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, thousands of ships diverted via the Cape of Good Hope, and billions of dollars of trade disrupted in the Red Sea crisis.
As shipping company earnings benefit from disruption in the Red Sea the Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU) has called on companies to remember seafarers when it comes to bonuses.
Feeder vessels have become the focus of short-term charters as liner operators reconfigure their Asia to Europe services around the Cape of Good Hope, requiring feeders for the Mediterranean region in particular.
QatarEnergy, which owns the world’s largest fleet of LNG carriers, has selected Nakilat (Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited) to own and operate up to 25 new LNG carriers of 174,000m3 to be built at shipyards in South Korea.