Panama-flagged ships under scrutiny as seafarers told to stay onboard longer

Seafarers union Nautilus International has called for Panama-flagged ships to be targeted for inspection by Port State Control and detained for breaching the Maritime Labour Convention when entering their country in response to its ‘inhumane’ extension of seafarer contracts.

In June, the Panama Ship Registry issued a notice stating that seafarers’ contracts can be extended by a further three months and up to 17 months where crew change is not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The union has warned that fatigued crews working for months after they were supposed to return home pose a threat to shipping safety and protection of the environment.