Hunger strike of abandoned bulker crew in Kuwait moves into 2nd month
After 11 months without pay for their families, 19 seafarers on board the
MV Ula bulk carrier in the port of Shuaiba, Kuwait have gone on a hunger strike, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said.
The mixed crew from India, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh are demanding immediate repatriation and payment of $410,415.65 they are owed in wages.
They have rejected all meals from 7 January, saying they cannot eat while their families go hungry. Their hunger strike now drags into February.
Six of the crew have already been hospitalised to stabilise their blood pressure and sugar levels, before they were returned to the ship. The seafarers remain at risk of dying if they continue to refuse food.
Seafarers on hunger strike, hospitalised in Kuwait to stop families going hungry: the full story 02 Feb 2021
After 11 months without pay for their families, 19 seafarers on board the
MV Ula bulk carrier in the port of Shuaiba, Kuwait have gone on a hunger strike.
The mixed crew from India, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh are demanding immediate repatriation and payment of $410,415.65 they are owed in wages.
They have rejected all meals from 7 January, saying they cannot eat while their families go hungry. Their hunger strike now drags in to February.
“We only drink water to keep us going,” one said.
Six of the crew have already been hospitalised to stabilise their blood pressure and sugar levels, before they were returned to the ship. The seafarers remain at risk of dying if they continue to refuse food.
BIMCO publishes Sanctions Clause for the container trade
A new time charter sanctions clause specifically designed for the container shipping sector has been published by BIMCO. The BIMCO Sanctions Clause for Container Vessel Time Charter Parties 2021 is part of an initiative to create a library of sanctions clauses that reflect the individual needs and characteristics of different trades and operations.
The shipping industry has recently come under increasing sanctions pressure from regulators. To help manage sanctions compliance companies should incorporate adequate sanctions clauses in their contracts.
“Our aim was to draft a clause which reflects the needs of the liner trade and is in line with the practical reality by not imposing unfulfillable requirements on the parties. We wanted a clause which is fair and balanced and will be accepted by owners and charterers,” says Frank Sanford, General Counsel of MSC.
War and terrorism risks
For 2021, cover for war and terrorism risks will remain available from the Club in accordance with the relevant proviso to Rule 3.1.1 of the Rules of Class I.
This cover will apply in excess of an insured vessel’s proper hull value, or $500 million, whichever is the lower amount, and will be for a limit of $500 million for 2021, the same figure as that which obtains for the current policy year.
Addendum I to this Circular sets out the terms of this excess cover. It will apply to all vessels insured on fully mutual conditions in accordance with the Rules of Class I, into the cover of which these terms will be deemed to be incorporated.
Indian law: Personal injury / disability claims
Introduction
Despite safety protocols and precautions followed/undertaken by shipowners (“Owners”) as well as crew, unfortunate personal injuries are a common occurrence onboard ships. This article focuses on the legal (liability) regime in India, to generally guide Owners facing a potential action by an Indian seafarer in India, for a personal injury/disability claim.
Frequent queries
• What are the applicable Indian laws/labour laws that govern personal injury/disability compensations with respect to an Indian seafarer who has sustained a personal injury onboard a merchant vessel?
• Is an injured seafarer entitled to bring a claim in tort? What are the provisions covering this aspect under Indian law?