GNS, the maritime technology company, launched VFI Plus, a powerful new extension to its Voyager FLEET INSIGHT (VFI) web service and, at the same time, announced that it will be making the service available free of charge during the COVID-19 pandemic to support shipping companies with remote-working or office-based teams with increased demands for fast access to up to date information.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM), in an effort to support shipping companies and owners of Cyprus ships and to enable them to address the difficulties encountered due to the wide spread of the coronavirus outbreak, has decided to extend the date of payment of the Cyprus Registry Maintenance Annual Fee and the tonnage tax of Cyprus ships.

Despite having already implemented all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its employees, Fincantieri has decided to  further extend the work stoppage in all its Military and Cruise Vessels production plants and offices from March 30th until the date indicated in the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers adopted on March 22nd.

The organisation of collective crew changes at key hub ports by ship managers and owners has the potential to solve the seafarer welfare crisis currently threatening global supply chains, believes Captain Rajesh Unni, Founder and CEO of leading Singapore-based ship manager Synergy Group, which employs over 12,000 seafarers on more than 300 vessels.

The USCG, Paris and Tokyo MOUs have issued information on guidance regarding the difficulties the international shipping and transportation industry is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Following the latest guidance for employers and as the spread of Covid-19 continues, we wanted to write to advise you that our team are currently working mainly remotely with a small number in the office this week.