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Seafarers stuck at Felixstowe port during strike

Charity Stella Maris has found itself providing support for seafarers stuck on board vessels in the Port of Felixstowe during an eight-day strike by dock workers.

Marcus Hand, Editor

August 26, 2022

2 Min Read
Julian Wong Stella Maris chaplain East Anglia
Julian Wong Stella Maris chaplain East AngliaPhoto: Stella Maris

The container vessel George Washington Bridge in Felixstowe was scheduled to leave port the day before the strike started on 20 August, however, departure was delayed and the seafarers remained on the vessel once the strike started on Sunday.

Stella Maris chaplain Julian Wong had visited the vessel on 19 August before the strike started and had left contact details. With the vessel still stuck in port once the strike started the chaplain visited the vessel and its crew again on 24 August.

“They were all fine and some said they would like to go into town as they had been on board, within the confines of the port, for a few days now,” said Wong.

“I provided transport for six seafarers. Three of them stopped off at the Seafarers' Centre and later walked into town and I drove the other three into town to the post office. They needed to exchange some currency and wanted to do a bit of shopping.”

The extended stay the George Washington Bridge provided an expected opportunity for one Filipino seafarer to reunite with his brother, who lives in Nottingham, for the first time in seven years.

The brother had travelled to Felixstowe, hoping to meet the seafarer. On 25 August Wong was able to drive the seafarer to a cafe in town to meet his brother.

Related:Felixstowe port workers strike to compound supply chain woes

“With the ongoing strike a lot of people’s attention is, understandably, focused on operational and business matters. At Stella Maris we continue to focus on the seafarers who live and work on board these ships,” Wong said.

The strike by 1,900 members of Union Unite is scheduled for eight days from 21 – 28 August, however, the union has said the strike will escalate unless Felixstowe Docks, run by Hutchison Ports, returns to the table with an improve wage offer.

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Port of Felixstowe

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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