The fire onboard the car carrier Fremantle Highway and the tragic loss of a seafarer has brought the debate surrounding the transport of electric vehicles (EVs) by sea into sharp focus. 

Thousands of seafarers will be guaranteed fair wages, proper rest periods and suitable training thanks to a new Seafarers’ Charter launched by the UK government.

June 2023 and the Government of Portugal deposited with the International Labour Organization the declaration of acceptance of the Amendments of 2014  and of 2018  to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006).

Shipping transports around 90% of world trade onboard different vessels so maritime safety is critical. Improvements have been significant over the past decade, culminating in the sector reporting a record low number of large ships lost over the past year. However, a combination of factors impacting fire risk, ongoing and new threats posed by the ripple effects of the Ukraine conflict, decarbonization challenges, economic uncertainty, as well as the rising cost of marine claims, means the sector still has plenty of obstacles to navigate over the next 12 months and beyond, according to insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review 2023.