Certificates and trainingIndia: from 26 October, seafarers apply for CDC renewal, replacement and cook certificates on e-SamudraFrom Monday 26 October 2026, Indian seafarers apply for all types of CDC, and for the cook's Certificate of Competency, on the e-Samudra portal. For a replacement CDC booklet, you no longer need to hand in your old booklet.
Rescues and medevacsBrazil: Filipino seafarer with a heart emergency taken off his ship near Ilhéus and treated in hospitalA 48-year-old Filipino crew member on the merchant ship Amazon Victory had a heart emergency about 114 nautical miles off Ilhéus, Brazil. The Brazilian Navy organised his transfer to a hospital, where he had an emergency heart procedure. He is getting better.
Rescues and medevacsVietnam: four fishermen safe after their boat sank near the White Lion oil fieldA small Vietnamese fishing boat sank in rough seas on 21 October 2026. Another fishing boat picked up all four crew. They reached Tran De port in Can Tho on 23 October, and border guards say all four are healthy.
Security and piracyUpdatedGulf attacks: threat level raised for the Arabian Gulf as three more tankers are hitJMIC raised the threat level for the Arabian Gulf to SUBSTANTIAL on 18 October 2026. Since then, tankers were hit off Al Faw in Iraq, and off Bukha and Limah in Oman. The crews of the first two were reported safe.
Recruitment scamsIndia warns seafarers about fake job offers: check the crewing agency's licence before you pay or send documentsIndia's Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has started a campaign against fake ship jobs. It tells seafarers to check that a recruiter has a valid licence and to be careful with any payment demand.
Security and piracyAsia: 58% fewer piracy and robbery cases against ships in the first nine months of 2026ReCAAP ISC counted 50 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia from January to September 2026, down from 120 a year earlier. Cases in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore fell from 97 to 23.
Security and piracyBlack Sea: one seafarer dead and three missing after the ship Khoryv sank off Constanța, RomaniaThe ship Khoryv turned over and sank off Constanța on 23 October 2026. Romania's president said a drone hit it. Nine of the 13 crew were saved, one died and three are missing.
Security and piracyRed Sea: 14 Indian sailors safe after their yacht was hit near Zuqar Island, Indian embassy saysA yacht with 14 Indian sailors on board was hit near Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea on 22 October 2026. India's embassy for Yemen says reports show all 14 are safe near Hodeidah. Who attacked the yacht is not confirmed.
Certificates and trainingChina and Saudi Arabia agree to recognise each other's seafarer certificatesChina's Ministry of Transport and Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority signed an agreement on 20 October 2026 to recognise each other's seafarer certificates. The details and the start date are not public yet.
Welfare and rightsNew report: tired crews, poor mental health and fear of speaking up make ships less safeA report by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, published on 22 October 2026, says fatigue, mental health and fear of reporting mistakes are linked to accidents at sea. It asks insurers, banks and investors to take crew welfare into account.
Rescues and medevacsGhana: seven fishermen found alive off Benin after almost two weeks at sea in a canoeThe engine of the fishing canoe Second Chance failed after it left Sekondi, Ghana, on 9 October 2026. The canoe drifted east to Benin. Navies of Ghana, Togo and Benin brought all seven fishermen home safely on 22 October.
Welfare and rightsSeafarers are less happy again: shore leave, internet and wages get worse, new survey saysThe Seafarers Happiness Index for July to September 2026 fell to 6.81 out of 10. Shore leave, internet, wages and welfare ashore got worse, but crew relations and training got better.