The Port of Sillamäe (SILPORT), Estonia, is the most eastern port of the EU, located only 25 km from the EU-Russian border and is one of the largest private ports in the EU. It is a relatively new, multifunctional deep-sea port. Natural depth at the quaysides of the port are sufficient for servicing the largest vessels that can enter the Baltic Sea through the Danish Straights. The port was opened for navigation in 2005 and offers an infra- and superstructure capable of handling all cargo groups from oil-products and dry bulk to containerised cargo.
Theme of the 2021 event; the Climate; ports, terminals, ships and harbour masters. Captain René Sirol, Harbour Master, Port of Sillamäe and the EHMC look forward to welcoming you in 2021. Sillamäe Port will provide shuttle busses from the airport of Tallinn to the venue.
DUE TO CORONA DEVELOPMENTS IT WAS DECIDED TO CANCEL THE EVENT AS SCEDULED FOR THE 6TH OF JUNE 2021.
With a reservation of next years’ developments, the seminar is postponed to autumn 2021. The event, if any, will be a live event, not an online event. The date will be announced here in due time.
Latest News & Events
A wide-ranging set of guidance has been issued to help enterprises using shipping services to protect the human rights of seafarers, as hundreds of thousands are still stranded on ships due to Covid-19 imposed travel restrictions.
Made public early in May the Human Rights Due Diligence Tool is a joint initiative of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), the ILO and the IMO.
The Due Diligence Tool for cargo owners and charterers has been issued amid concerns that the number of crew stranded at sea by Covid-19 restrictions could surge from the current level of 200,000, potentially returning to the peak of 400,000 seafarers at the height of the crew change crisis in September 2020. UN agencies hope the new guidance will help ensure that the working conditions and human rights of seafarers are respected and comply with international standards.
The new guidance aims to ensure that seafarers have their rights safeguarded in areas such as physical and mental health, access to family life and freedom of movement.
While recognizing the importance of the maritime industry in transporting more than 80% of global trade goods, UN agencies have expressed concern at reports of seafarers working beyond the eleven-month maximum period of service on board set out by the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)1.
Ship owners and seafarers’ representatives have asked the UN to establish an inter-agency task force to examine the implementation and practical application of the MLC, 2006 during the pandemic, including its impact on seafarers’ fundamental rights and on the shipping industry. This was reported by the ITF on 6 May.
The crew change crisis peaked at over 400,000 seafarers trapped on ships working beyond their contracts because of local Covid-19 restrictions and the failure of some governments to cooperate and coordinate to address the crisis.
As at the date of the statement it was understood that the number of seafarers still stranded is around 200,000 and is on the rise again as authorities respond to new variants and explosions in cases like the devastating second wave currently tearing through India.
It is the ITF’s view that while some governments have responded well, designating seafarers as key workers and facilitating their travel, too many are sitting idly by while ships’ crews are unable to get home in a situation that is tantamount to forced labour. Urgent action is needed.
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