TradeWinds
Shipping Index

ITF targets Dowa

Rallies are planned for Japan and Trinidad to protest Dowa Line's lawsuit against a labour union, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) says.

The All-Japan Seamen's Union (JSU) has planned a Saturday rally at the Tokyo headquarters of the bulker owner.

The ITF and the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union will hold another demonstration in Trinidad, where Dowa's ships often call. The company's 24 bulk carriers trade primarily in the Carbibbean, as well as North and South America.

The ITF says Dowa Line is suing the JSU in an attempt to muzzle the union after its September rally at Dowa's head office.

Crews of the company do not have an internationally recognised collective bargaining agreement, unlike most Japanese companies, the ITF said.

"Dowa Line risks undermining the principles of dialogue between employers that we believe is an essential part of fair global trade – endangering decent wages and conditions and making it more difficult to maintain hard-won high standards on other companies’ fleets,” ITF maritime operations head Graham Yong said in a statement.

Dowa Line's US office referred calls to the Tokyo headquarters, which could not be reached after business hours Friday.

Published: 18:11 GMT, 05 Feb 10 | updated: 18:14 GMT, 05 Feb 10
Latest News
Article image

Boxship attacked

E R Schiffahrt vessel ER Lubeck evades pirate assault in Somali Basin but sustains light damage.

17:41 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Texas tax fight

Gulf Coast player challenges US tax authorities over unfavourable designation of time charter income.

16:39 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Mercator mum

Indian owner confirms bulker and tanker purchases but keeps lips sealed on ship names.

16:11 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Molaris heads IPO

Former Quintana and Excel chief rides back into Wall Street at head of $270m bulker and tanker float.

15:52 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Rich get richer

Brazilian magnate Eike Batista joins world’s top 10 rich list, while Fredriksen drops Ofer to ride back into Forbes’ top 100.

13:11 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

AIDAluna dented

Second Costa Crociere-owned cruiseship bashed against quay, this time in La Palma, but no one hurt.

12:24 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

OceanFreight split

Greek owner proposes reverse stock split after facing Nasdaq delisting dilemma.

12:06 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Belgian blaze

Fire in engine room of Boeckmans general cargoship cuts power off Morocco.

11:54 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Bubble trouble

Defective compass puts Turkish ship on collision course with UK inspectors while Greek bulker freed.

11:49 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Double Dutch

Tank terminal player Vopak to expand Amsterdam capacity as annual profit rises.

10:37 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Columbus crash

Hapag-Lloyd cruiseship in collision with cargo vessel while docking in rough seas at Iloilo, Philippines.

10:19 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
Article image

Men overboard

USCG searching for two crew who fell from deck of Hanjin Pretoria off Alaska.

09:54 GMT, 12 Mar 2010
ShipX Auction