Today is World Maritime Day, where the global maritime community come together to celebrate the annual day. This years theme is: “Seafarers: At the core of shipping’s future”.

The International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London will be one of several iconic landmarks to be illuminated in blue, kicking off an annual initiative to unite the maritime community and raise awareness of the vital contribution of shipping to the world. It will also draw attention to seafarers and their core role in shipping and its future.

Read More

Seafarers of all nationalities will be exempt from the UK’s COVID travel restrictions, including mandatory hotel quarantines.

The UK Department for Transport announced on March 15 that seafarers will be exempt from the Red List and Acute List country restrictions—the UK’s COVID travel restrictions— effective from 0400 on March 19.

The rule change will allow seafarers to join ships, take shore leave and return home if they have been in Red List or Acute List countries, removing the usual need to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine or take a COVID test.

Read More