New ITF App Releases to Aid Seafarers and Charterers

The ITF is launching a new generation of free apps, including one to help seafarers and charterers support and build on the fair employment provisions of MLC2006. A second app helps seafarers find a trade union and their nearest ITF inspector, while the organisation’s charity arm, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, is offering an app to put users in touch with the nearest seafarers’ centre.

ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton commented: “The Look up a Ship app for the first time allows seafarers to easily find out about a ship before embarking on it and allows charterers to check that a ship has an ITF agreement in place before proceeding with a charter. The Look up an Inspector app offers immediate sources of help and advice, while its Seafarers’ Trust sister app Shore Leave does the same for seafarers’ centres and missions.”

He continued: “These new tools put key information in the hands of users with just a few clicks. They reflect the opportunities offered by new technologies, the real advances that the Maritime Labour Convention offers, and the changing needs of those working at sea.”

Look up a Ship has been developed to provide seafarers and charterers with the ability to look at basic information about the vessel they are sailing on, intend to sail on or are considering chartering. It will show:
Ship name
IMO number
Ship’s flag
Whether or not an ITF agreement is in place on the ship

Where an ITF agreement exists or has existed, the application will show:
The status of the agreement
When the agreement starts and ends
Who the agreement is signed by (company and union)

It will also show the latest:
Crew list summary (date, number and nationality)
ITF Inspection details (visit date, port and country)

Look up an Inspector informs seafarers where they can obtain assistance from an ITF inspector or Union. Each entry lists the country, port, inspector’s name and contact details including:
Mobile and office telephone numbers
Fax number
Email address