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Showing posts with label coastal shipping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coastal shipping. Show all posts

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Any shippie with money in any Indian Provident Fund?


Then do read this:-

http://moneylife.in/article/half-of-the-money-with-epfo-nagpur-office-is-unclaimed-deposits/29754.html



Moneylife » Half of the money with EPFO Nagpur office is unclaimed deposits!
Half of the money with EPFO Nagpur office is unclaimed deposits!

An RTI query revels that the Nagpur office of the EPFO (EmployeesProvident Fund Organisation) has almost half its current deposits in the ‘unclaimed’ category! The story is the same across the country. As per the latest rules, unclaimed deposits will now also stop earning interest

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Families and friends of seafarers who are stuck due to piracy in Somalia or elsewhere.

Dear family members and friends of seafarers who are currently stuck onboard ships hijacked or pirated. Our hearts go out to you. And we understand your problems like only other seafarers can.

Kindly contact the undersigned at any time by email in case you need any help or information or simply wish to seek advice or propagate your case with other seafarer groups.

Thank you.

Veeresh Malik

Sunday, 16 January 2011

Capt. Sahil Puri's research on Criminalisation at Sea

Conclusion

“Wake up higher authorities .I am young and energetic and pretty much optimistic towards my sea service. Kindly take short notice action on criminalisation. Best regards.”
                                                                     - One of the respondents, a Pakistani cadet 

The above statement in my opinion symbolises the crux of the problem that this research was aiming to address. It has shades of despair which reflects the helplessness of the respondent, much the same feeling shared by majority of the seafarers that participated in the survey. Whether it was the insecurity of being treated like a criminal or lack of confidence in the international bodies and governments to deal with this issue, the results were disappointing for the morale of the workforce that is supposedly the engine of the global economy. The results clearly reflected that this problem is deep rooted and no matter what level of shipboard organisation, what department or what type of ship, the issue has had a negative impact.          

On the contrary the above statement also has shades of hope and optimism. Same was apparent in the majority of the respondents who actively came forward to put across their point of view and their suggestions on how to deal with this issue. The wide acceptance that the solutions mentioned in the questionnaire received, is in itself a sign of optimism that ‘Something can be done’.

The only question however that remains unanswered is “Will it be done??”  

(With permission from Capt. Sahil Puri.)   


+++

Here is the conclusion from Capt. Sahil Puri's most interesting research on criminalisation at sea. I shall be placing his work here, as it becomes available for publishing, on a regular basis. In this case, though, the conclusion was what was more important - so.




Sunday, 28 November 2010

Post Piracy care of Seafarers

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has published Preliminary Guidelines: Post-Piracy Care for Seafarers, outlining preliminary strategies on caring for seafarers (merchant mariners) affected by piracy. The document, based on cutting-edge mental health research and ongoing discussions with shipowners, crewing agencies, representatives of governments, and other stakeholders in the industry, provides practical guidelines for the maritime industry.

SCI presented the Preliminary Guidelines to Working Group 3 of the United Nations Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia on January 27, prior to the Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group the following day. SCI also plans to submit the document to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the meeting of the Maritime Security Committee in May.

Based on experience gained through the clinical study and stakeholder responses, SCI will update Preliminary Guidelines, available online at:

http://www.seamenschurch.org/law-advocacy/piracy-trauma-study

SCI desires to speak with seafarers who have experienced piracy, including attacks, hostage-taking, or simply sailing through high risk piracy areas. Contact Clinical Researcher Michael Garfinkle, PhD at +1 212 349 9090 ext. 240 or by email at mgarfinkle@seamenschurch.org.

SCI researchers strictly protect privacy.

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Indian coastal shipping may permit foreign flag ships . . .

DG Shipping has issued a note, seeking stakeholders and others to comment on a proposal to open up certain segments of coastal shipping in India to foreign flag merchant navy ships, initially only for loaded containers to be trans-shipped to and from Indian ports. The note can be viewed on DG Shipping's website, and seeks responses by 34th of November 2010.

In brief:-

# Loaded containers only to be moved between Indian ports on foreign flag vessels.
# These foreign flag container ships may be permitted relaxation in manning norms, usually not available to Indian flag ships.
# Cabotage protection will continue for other types of ships on the Indian coast.
# Preferential freight will still continue for Indian flag ships, up from 10% to 25%.
# A separate note has been issued for coastal river-sea vessels under the Indian flag too.

All in all, exciting days ahead for coastal shipping, and who knows - we may yet have a vibrant coastal shipping industry?