The shipping community is mobilizing in support of Filipino seafarers following concerns that the European Union (EU) might ban them from working on EU-registered ships due to inadequate training standards. In response to these issues, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recommended forming an International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA), which was endorsed by organizations representing seafarers, shipowners, and other maritime employers alongside the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers.
This initiative emerged from a meeting in December where industry leaders discussed the pressing need for a new advisory board to address long-standing concerns regarding seafarer training. Following criticisms over training deficiencies identified in audits, the Philippine government is eager to demonstrate responsiveness. EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) has documented deficiencies in Filipino seafarers’ training as far back as 2006, asserting that training and certification processes fall short of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers guidelines. Should the European Commission follow through with proposed actions, it could significantly hinder future opportunities for Filipino seafarers in the EU market.
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople underscored the importance of this committee in developing a comprehensive roadmap that would enhance the global competitiveness and welfare of Filipino seafarers. The IACGMA aims to ensure that training adheres to international standards and tackle issues such as unfair labor practices and employability concerns for Filipino seafarers abroad.
The establishment of the IACGMA has garnered support from notable industry figures. ECSA’s Secretary General, Sotiris Raptis, welcomed the committee as a vital step, emphasizing the crucial role of Filipino seafarers in sustaining EU shipping and trade. Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, noted that approximately 14% of the global seafarer workforce are Filipinos, with estimates indicating around 380,000 to 400,000 Filipinos serving in maritime roles globally.
Training for Filipino seafarers is largely facilitated through private educational institutions. Despite the Philippine government’s claims of proactive responses to the identified training deficiencies, the EU’s scrutiny continues, with the Commission set to deliberate on these matters in early 2023. The partnership established through IACGMA may facilitate improved dialogue and strategic responses to ensuring competent maritime qualifications, ultimately aiming to preserve and enhance the standing of Filipino seafarers in the international maritime community.
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