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BC groups club together to provide some Xmas cheer for stranded Hanjin crew

Various bodies have clubbed together in British Columbia to try and make Christmas more bearable for 13 crewmembers stranded on a Hanjin boxship since the end of August when the Korean liner wrought chaos to global supply chains by seeking court protection.

While all the boxes have been offloaded the 4,600 teu Hanjin Scarlet, 13 men remain onboard, a mix of Filipinos and Koreans, long after their contracts should have expired. The ship is anchored off Saturna Island off Canada’s west coast.

“I think crew morale is really low,” Kevin Lee, vice-president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union told local media.

The BCFMWU, the International Transportation Workers’ Federation, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association are working together to get the crew clothes, food and gifts as well as cash to remit home. The groups will also be bringing DVDs, games and communications equipment, including a laptop and unlocked cellphones.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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