AMWS News 2026
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Seafarer Welfare Needs Long-Term Stable Support - Not Goodwill Alone - by David Parmeter, Chair
There has recently been a debate in our industry about funding seafarers' welfare and whether it should be considered and treated as a charity cause or a fundamental right. This goes to questions about the "happiness" of seafarers and whether seafarers are typecast as chronically abused and destitute to help inspire people to give to support their needs. These are issues of critical importance to AMWS because one of our primary functions is providing financial support to Mission to Seafarers, Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) and other organisations delivering seafarer welfare services around Australia. This gives AMWS a direct view of both the value of Australia's welfare network and the financial pressures under which many providers operate. Comment from the AMWS Chair Aug 2026 >> |
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BIMCO Launches Film to Call for the Protection of Seafarer Rights. BIMCO, 1st Quarter, 2026
BIMCO has launched its new “Fair Seas 2026” film campaign to highlight the growing risks faced by seafarers and the urgent need for stronger international protections for the men and women who sustain global trade. The campaign draws attention to the increasing impact of geopolitical conflict, attacks on shipping, unjust detention and the continuing criminalisation of seafarers, particularly in high-risk regions such as the Persian Gulf, where thousands of crews remain under severe pressure and uncertainty. BIMCO is also calling for governments and industry stakeholders to strengthen legal protections, ensure fair treatment and due process, and fully recognise seafarers as key workers whose welfare, safety and freedom of movement are essential to maintaining the world’s supply chains and economic stability. Watch, download the film and share here>> |
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Vale: Captain Alan Tait. 1940 - 2026.
The long serving Chair of AMWS Captain Alan Tait passed away peacefully on 9th May. Alan made an enormous contribution to AMWS. He joined as a member in 1984 and was elected to Council on 17 November 1992. Alan became Chairman on 31 May 2005 and remained in that role until stepping down at the May 2020 meeting. He continued serving on Council until retiring at the May 2025 meeting. Alan was a tireless worker in the cause of seafarer welfare. His impact on the industry and the welfare community can be measured by the tributes to his memory from his many friends and colleagues. A selection of these can be access at the following link >> |
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Seafarers Caught in Escalating Strait of Hormuz Crisis. ITF Press Release, 22nd April 2026
The International Transport Workers' Federation has strongly condemned a recent surge in attacks and seizures involving civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that commercial shipping is increasingly being used as an instrument of conflict. In a 24-hour period, reports indicate that three vessels were attacked and two seized by Iran, while a further vessel was seized by the United States. The ITF emphasised that these incidents represent deliberate actions against civilian seafarers, who have no involvement in the conflict yet are being exposed to significant and growing risks. The human toll is becoming increasingly apparent, with the ITF reporting 1,900 requests for assistance from seafarers and their families since the crisis began. Many cases relate to unpaid wages, repatriation challenges, and shortages of essential supplies onboard vessels, with around 450 seafarers already assisted to return home. The federation has called on shipowners to avoid sending crews into unsafe waters and has demanded the immediate release of detained seafarers and vessels, alongside a cessation of attacks on civilian shipping. It also highlighted the mounting psychological strain on seafarers stranded in the region, often isolated from their families and uncertain of their rights, underscoring the urgent need for all parties to uphold international legal obligations to protect maritime workers. |
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61st Commemoration, Merchant Navy War Memorial. Report by AMWS. Chair, Mr David Parmeter, Sydney 19th April 2026
On Sunday 19th April I attended the 61st Annual Commemoration at the Merchant Navy War Memorial in Sydney. The service is organised by our fraternal organisation The Merchant Navy War Memorial Fund, under Chair Sean Barrett, and is always an important event for the industry. The officiating clergy were Sister Mary Leahy and Rev John Kewa. The guest of honour was Captain Mark McIntosh, RAN (Rtd) who delivered the Merchant Navy Address. Significantly, Captain McIntosh spoke of the ongoing connection between the RAN and the Merchant Navy, principally in the crewing, operation and servicing of support vessels. The event was even more significant this year given the conflict in theMiddle East and the resulting dangers to innocent seafarers. DP |
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Newcastle Maritime Heritage: 27th April 2026
Very sad that our region's senior leader PETER MORRIS has passed away at 93 years. After retiring from politics, having held the role of Federal Minister for Transport, Peter followed his love for Newcastle's maritime history by leading the maritime museum society for 16 years as it moved from Fort Scratchley into the 'A' Shed at Honeysuckle in 2007. He helped raise $3million to make it happen. He was devastated in 2018 when the museum was secretly closed without consulting the society's members. Peter called for an inquiry (29May2018) into how and why the museum closed and all property was taken over by Newcastle Council. The long 8-year battle to take back the valuable collection is now reaching conclusion, so it was nice that Peter was aware that in 2 more days the society is taking back possession of everything. He can now rest in peace, after a long life of major achievement. Peter Morris was one of our region's heroes. |
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61st Annual Commemoration. Merchant Navy War Memorial. Sunday, 19th April 2026
Please see details left |
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View the AMWS Chairman Mr David Parmeter's Recent Address to the Mission to Seafarers Conference in Adelaide. March 2026.
To view, click the start button left. |
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AMWS Council Meeting. 24th February 2026
On Tuesday 24 February the AMWS Council held its first meeting for 2026. The venue is the office of our Corporate member, Shipping Australia Ltd. We are very grateful to SAL for their support, especially as their meeting room has excellent tele-conference facilities so this enable Councillors not present in Sydney to participate. This was the first meeting attended by our new Councillor Ms Patricia Beatty, and she joined the meeting on line from her home in Coffs Harbour. In addition to the usual business of running AMWS, the Council had the opportunity to consider some more strategic issues. This included the best way to manage our Communications, especially social media and the electronic newsletter, to ensure AMWS is promoting the cause of seafarer welfare and the work we do. Our scholarships program was also discussed with the opportunity of extending this to the commercial fishing industry. There was also discussion of mental health issues in the industry and the best way AMWS can assist in this area. |
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New Appointment to the AMWS Council. Sydney, February, 2026
Tricia Beatty has joined the Australian Mariners’ Welfare Society Board. Tricia has 30+ years’ experience across the seafood and maritime sectors, including as former CEO of the Professional Fishermen’s Association of NSW, and brings strengths in safety, governance and stakeholder engagement. She looks forward to supporting AMWS’s work for mariners’ wellbeing and building stronger links with the commercial fishing sector. |
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Mission to Seafarers Conference. Adelaide, 17th to 19th February 2026.
Contact MTS for full details or see the MTS webpage via the following link. https://www.mts.org.au/conference-2026 |
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Seafarer Abandonment Crisis: Thousands left behind in Shipping's Worst Year (2025) on Record. ITF Seafarers New Report, 22nd January 2026
Seafarer abandonment has reached its highest level on record, with new data showing 6,223 seafarers abandoned across 410 vessels in 2025 — a 32% increase on the previous year and the sixth consecutive annual rise in cases. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reports that affected crews were owed USD25.8 million in unpaid wages, of which USD16.5 million has been recovered. Abandonment, as defined by international conventions, includes failure to repatriate seafarers, non-payment of wages for at least two months, and denial of basic maintenance and support. Indian seafarers were the most affected nationality, with more than 1,100 cases, followed by Filipino and Syrian crews. The Middle East and Europe recorded the highest number of incidents, with Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates topping the list of countries where abandonments occurred. Flags of Convenience (FOCs) remain central to the crisis, with 82% of abandoned vessels operating under FOC registries, most notably Panama. The ITF is calling for stronger accountability measures, including mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership, national blacklisting of repeat offenders, and enhanced powers for the International Maritime Organization to coordinate enforcement. Access the complete ITF article here >> |
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WA Governments' Ports Minister to Review Welfare Levy Options for Seafarer Support. Human Rights at Sea, 16th December 2025
Western Australian Minister for Ports, Hon Stephen Dawson, has confirmed that the Ports WA Forum will review the potential use of welfare levies to support seafarer welfare initiatives across the state. The forum brings together all Western Australian port authorities and relevant government agencies to consider shared priorities. The Minister acknowledged the vital role played by around 260,000 seafarers in connecting Western Australia to global markets and recognised the challenging conditions they often face at sea. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to seafarer welfare, including support for sustainable funding models to maintain welfare facilities and services, with port authorities already contributing both financially and in kind. A recent example includes the development of a new Seafarer Centre at Port Hedland through collaboration between government and industry. Access the HRAS article here >> |
