Thousands of seafarers still at risk in Red Sea

Speaking Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global Hans Leo Cadac, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers, said that there were approximately 4,687 Filipino seafarers still plying high risk and war like areas. As the world’s largest supplier of crew to the international fleet 740 Filipino seafarers have attacked onboard ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

A number of Philippines government departments, including the Department of Migrant Workers, have been involved in developing welfare, psychological and medical support for seafarers returning from the Red Sea.

“We do have corresponding department issuances where we encouraged shipowners to divert and of course most of the shipowners did in fact divert,” the Secretary said.

In terms of further action that could be taken he believed there could be improved best practices or guidance for those who are attacked in the Red Sea.

Speaking in the following session, Capt Ashok Srinivasan, Manager Department of Maritime Safety and Security for Bimco, said, “Shipping is being attacked, our seafarers are being attacked, and murdered in the Red Sea. That is not the sort of risk anyone should ask our seafarers to take.”

He said it was not an issue that the industry or NGOs could solve and much more action was needed from governments.

Related:IMO Sec-Gen calls for immediate release of Galaxy Leader and crew

Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) “Let's not forget it's been a year now since the galaxy was se and we still got 25 crew members on board and can you imagine the distress that they and their families are going through at this moment and all our efforts have done nothing.”

“And someone  said what would have happened between three aircraft had been hijacked and you think there would be a different response. Because it's a ship, no.”

Of the 25 crew taken hostage in the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader on 19 November last year 17 are Filipino nationals.