Post by Julian Bray

Progressive shipowners and charterers are uniting behind a new online tool aimed at tackling the illegal practice of charging fees when recruiting seafarers. The tool has been developed by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and Isabelle Rickmers’ crewing agency, TURTLE. More than 30 major global owners, insurers and charterers have backed the launch of the new system. They include Odfjell SE, CMA CGM, NYK Line, Wilhelmsen Ship Management and IMC Ship Management. Anglo American, Louis Dreyfus Company, Mercuria, Inter IKEA Distribut Ltd, Gard AS,South32 and others are also involved. Turtle chief executive and founder Rickmers said: “You cannot solve a talent shortage with an industry that charges people to enter it. “Illegal recruitment fees do more than break the law, they poison the very entry point our industry most needs to protect. “When a newcomer’s first experience is exploitation, we lose them before they begin, along with everyone they would have brought in behind them.” The Mission to Seafarers, the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) , International Seafarers'​ Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN), the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative , the International Transport Workers'​ Federation (ITF) and other shipping associations are supporting the initiative. #shipping #seafaring #shipcrew https://lnkd.in/eXdcaRhe