Shipowners are bracing for possible industrial action by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) from next week, when a grace period allowing crew to work beyond their contracts expires.
Last month, the ITF agreed to allow a 30-day extension to employment terms — to 16 June — for crew working under International Bargaining Forum (IBF) employment contracts.
Hundreds of thousands of seafarers are employed under IBF contracts that are approved by the ITF.
