The ship had been abandoned by its Vietnamese owner, leaving the crew stranded off the coast of Malaysia without food, water or fuel.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation warns that if temporary short cuts adopted during the pandemic continue or become permanent, then there will be a rise in shipping accidents.

Besides the 400,000 seafarers stuck at sea, another 400,000 are unable to join ships.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has banned the bulk carrier AC Sesoda for deliberately underpaying its crew by more than AUD $118,000.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has in late August banned the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier Unison Jasper from Australian ports for six months.

The SG-STAR Fund is the first global tripartite initiative bringing together like-minded international partners.

Two more ships, Conti Stockholm and Ben Rinnes in Western Australia and Victoria, refused to keep sailing in bids for repatriation.

Seafarers are expected to work harder than ever and there is a pressure to keep hygiene standards at almost hospital levels.