Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. has established the Crew and Family Program, an initiative designed to foster strong, enduring relationships among crew members and their families. The program emphasizes well-being through a focus on wellness, health, and financial management. Recognizing the challenges of transnational parenting, Döhle Seafront offers support to seafarer families, enabling crew members to perform optimally while at sea.

Launched in 2014, the program has become a cornerstone of seafarer engagement, equipping seafarers and their spouses with essential marriage and parenting skills to navigate prolonged separations and high-stress environments. Collaborating with partners like Pinoy EduChild, the program employs case-based instruction to simulate real-life family scenarios, enhancing participants’ practical skills.

 The program’s impact is evident, with approximately 2,800 attendees participating in seminars and workshops since its inception, achieving an average satisfaction rating of 96%. In recognition of its positive influence on Filipino overseas workers and their families, Döhle Seafront received the Asia CEO Awards’ Heart for OFWs Company of the Year in 2018.   The following year, the company was honored with the Asia Responsible Enterprise Award in the Investment in People category. 

Döhle Seafront remains dedicated to expanding and enhancing the Crew and Family Program, continually developing initiatives that strengthen bonds with seafarers and their families, thereby promoting overall well-being and success within the maritime community.

In a commendable initiative, twenty-one graduates from the Dualtech Training Center Foundation, currently employed as seafarers with Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), have awarded scholarships to two high school graduates. This effort, coordinated and supported by Döhle Seafront, aims to ensure manpower sustainability in the maritime profession. Since 2015, the company has employed around 50 Dualtech graduates as entry-level engine crew members on international vessels.  

The scholarship initiative, known as Project SeaSeEd, was created by Dualtech alumni sailing in the maritime industry. This project exemplifies the graduates’ commitment to giving back and supporting the next generation of maritime professionals.  

Döhle Seafront’s partnership with Dualtech Training Center Foundation, Inc. began in 2015, providing scholars from marginalized communities with opportunities to work at sea as engine ratings. This collaboration has been instrumental in offering viable career paths to underprivileged youth and addressing manpower needs in the maritime sector.  

This initiative not only strengthens the maritime workforce but also fosters a culture of mentorship and support among seafarers, ensuring the continued growth and development of the industry. – September 2024

On May 24, 2024, the Döhle Group successfully concluded the third phase of its Adopt A Ship Program at Sampaguita Village Elementary School (SVES) in San Pedro, Laguna. This initiative introduced over 3,000 elementary students from three schools in Laguna to maritime careers. Over a 10-week period, 781 students from SVES engaged in email exchanges with maritime professionals, providing them with insights into the maritime industry and the daily lives of seafarers.

The Adopt A Ship Program aims to promote maritime awareness among the younger generation by connecting students with maritime officers onboard ships. This connection provides valuable educational experiences and benefits that can help shape their academic and career aspirations. Through the program, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the significance of the maritime industry and insights into the lives of seafarers.

The program’s success at SVES is part of a broader initiative that reached over 3,000 elementary students across three schools in Laguna by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. By fostering early interest in maritime professions, the program seeks to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals and counteract negative perceptions of the industry.

The Adopt A Ship Program has demonstrated remarkable success in enhancing students’ knowledge and understanding of geography and maritime-related topics across 16 schools. The program’s effectiveness is evident from the substantial improvements in students’ test scores and survey responses.

By fostering an early interest in maritime professions, the program seeks to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals and counteract negative perceptions of the industry. – June 2024

In December 2023, Döhle Seafront reinforced its commitment to community development through a series of Christmas outreach initiatives. The company extended support to Caritas Manila, a leading social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, dedicated to poverty alleviation and human development.  

Additionally, Döhle Seafront collaborated with CHILD Haus, a foundation that provides temporary shelter to indigent patients, particularly children battling cancer, who have no place to stay in Metro Manila while undergoing medical treatment.  

Beyond these partnerships, the company organized Christmas celebrations for underserved children attending Sunday schools, aiming to spread joy and provide support during the festive season.

These initiatives reflect Döhle Seafront’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and fostering a spirit of compassion and generosity during the holiday season. – December 2023

Since 2015, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. has partnered with the Dualtech Training Center Foundation, Inc., a pioneer in the Dual Training System in the Philippines, to provide employment opportunities for its scholars. As of January 2023, this collaboration has successfully integrated 55 Dualtech graduates into the maritime industry as merchant ship ratings, despite their lack of prior seafaring experience.  

The partnership focuses on training scholars from underprivileged sectors, equipping them with technical skills and providing real-life work experience through the Dual Training System. This system combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for their roles aboard international vessels.  

In 2024, twenty-one Dualtech graduates employed as seafarers at Döhle Seafront took the initiative to award scholarships to two high school graduates, enabling them to join Dualtech and pursue maritime careers. This act of giving back not only strengthens the maritime workforce but also fosters a culture of mentorship and support among seafarers.  

Döhle Seafront’s commitment to providing opportunities for non-maritime scholars underscores its dedication to social responsibility and the development of the maritime profession in the Philippines. – January 2023

n the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette (internationally known as Typhoon Rai), Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. extended significant relief assistance to the affected communities in Bohol. The company distributed essential supplies to 4,060 households across 11 barangays, including 7,262 kilograms of rice, 13,340 canned goods, 16,432 packs of noodles, 12,800 packets of coffee, and 2,958 liters of water.

Super Typhoon Odette, which struck the Philippines in December 2021, caused widespread devastation, particularly in regions like Bohol. The typhoon affected over 2 million families, totaling approximately 8 million individuals across multiple regions.

Döhle Seafront’s timely intervention provided much-needed support to the displaced families, addressing immediate needs and contributing to the broader relief efforts in the region. The company’s commitment to aiding affected communities underscores its dedication to social responsibility and community support during times of crisis. – January 25, 2022

On November 21, 2021, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. organized a successful bloodletting drive in Rizal province, contributing 58,500 milliliters of healthy blood to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). This initiative significantly bolstered the PRC’s blood bank during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The blood donation drive was held in Barangay Mahabang Parang, Angono, Rizal, where individuals came together to support the PRC’s mission of saving lives through voluntary blood donation.

Döhle Seafront’s commitment to community service and public health is evident through this initiative, reflecting the company’s dedication to supporting essential services and contributing to the well-being of the Filipino community during critical times. – November 2021

On December 10, 2021, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. collaborated with the Panobolon Women’s Association in Guimaras to plant 100 mangrove seedlings and establish a nursery for 500 mangrove propagules. This initiative aims to stabilize shorelines, support marine life, and bolster the local fishing community’s resilience against environmental challenges.

Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems by preventing erosion, providing habitats for marine species, and serving as natural barriers against storms. The Panobolon Women’s Association, comprising local seaweed farmers, actively participated in this project, highlighting the community’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Döhle Seafront’s partnership with the Panobolon community reflects its dedication to environmental stewardship and support for local economies. By investing in mangrove restoration, the company contributes to the long-term sustainability of the region’s natural resources and the well-being of its residents. – December 2021 

In response to the devastation caused by Typhoons Rolly (Goni) and Ulysses (Vamco) in November 2020, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. collaborated with the United Filipino Seafarers and the Philippine Coast Guard to provide essential assistance to affected communities. The joint efforts included the distribution of over 100 relief packs containing vital supplies to support displaced families.

Additionally, Döhle Seafront extended its support to relief workers by providing meal assistance, ensuring that those on the front lines of the recovery operations were well-nourished during their strenuous efforts.

These initiatives were part of a broader humanitarian response to the typhoons, which collectively affected over 4.2 million people across eight regions in the Philippines. The combined impact of the typhoons led to widespread displacement and significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.  

Döhle Seafront’s commitment to aiding those in need during this critical period underscores its dedication to social responsibility and community support in times of crisis. – December 2020

In June 2020, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc., in partnership with Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG and the Menzell & Döhle Group, initiated chartered flights between Manila and Hamburg to address the critical need for crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts ensured the safe repatriation and deployment of Filipino seafarers despite stringent global travel restrictions.

The inaugural flight departed from Manila on June 13, 2020, transporting nearly 100 seafarers to Hamburg, Germany, to join their respective vessels. Döhle Seafront’s crew comprised more than half of the passengers, while the remainder included seafarers from various ship management companies such as Columbia Shipmanagement, TORM Shipping Philippines, Utkilen AS, Deutsche Afrika-Linien/John T. Essberger, MF Shipping Group, Thome Ship Management, Interorient Shipmanagement, and Hafnia.

Subsequently, on June 27, 2020, a return chartered flight from Hamburg arrived in Manila, bringing home over 200 seafarers who had been stranded in Europe due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. This flight included 15 crew members under Döhle Seafront, with the majority being seafarers from other agencies.

These chartered flights were part of a broader initiative to facilitate crew changes during a period when many seafarers were working beyond their contractual terms due to the pandemic. The successful execution of these operations underscored the critical importance of crew changes in maintaining global trade and the well-being of seafarers.

Döhle Seafront’s proactive approach during this challenging time highlighted its commitment to the welfare of seafarers and the continuity of maritime operations. By the end of 2020, the company had successfully repatriated approximately 1,867 seafarers, demonstrating resilience and dedication amidst unprecedented challenges. – June 2020

In response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. collaborated with the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to develop the IMEC-ITF Crew Change Protocol. This initiative aimed to ensure that Filipino seafarers met global COVID-19 health standards during crew changes.

The protocol received approval from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which mandated its implementation to facilitate safe and efficient crew transitions within its jurisdiction. The MPA, in partnership with organizations including IMEC and ITF, launched the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund to support countries in adopting best practices for crew change.  

Döhle Seafront’s significant contributions to the development and implementation of these protocols were recognized by IMEC, underscoring the company’s commitment to the welfare of seafarers and the continuity of maritime operations during the pandemic. – June 2020

In the aftermath of the Taal Volcano eruption on January 12, 2020, which led to the displacement of thousands of families in Batangas and Cavite provinces, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc. promptly organized relief operations to support the affected communities. On January 21, 2020, the company distributed essential supplies to over 500 displaced families across five evacuation centers in Batangas.

The relief packages included blankets, toiletries, school materials, and groceries, addressing the immediate needs of those who had been forced to evacuate due to the volcanic activity. This initiative was part of a broader community effort to provide aid to the thousands affected by the eruption. As of January 16, 2020, close to 68,000 people were affected in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite, with at least 13,000 taking temporary shelter in evacuation centers.

Döhle Seafront’s timely intervention exemplifies the solidarity and support extended by various organizations during this natural disaster, contributing to the broader relief efforts in the region. – January 2020