INTERNATIONAL maritime groups welcomed the recent decision of the European Commission (EC) Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move) to extend its recognition of certificates of Filipino seafarers.

Heads and representatives of the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) have jointly expressed their appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration for closely overseeing the compliance of the country on international maritime standards.

“The international community and shipping groups are elated with the news of extending the Filipino seafarers’ certificate. We are very grateful to President Marcos for his intervention. We are very impressed by his keenness of our concerns as employers and ship owners, and we are very happy with his approach that resulted in a positive outcome,” said Francesco Gargiulo, chief executive officer of IMEC.

He added that the EC’s decision to extend the validity and recognition of Philippine-issued certificates for seafarers has been a massive relief for global shipping employers.

Meanwhile, Helio Vicente, a senior manager on policy and employment affairs of the ICS, observed the unprecedented level of partnership between the government, seafarers, local unions and international maritime stakeholders at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to highlight the leadership of President Marcos in ensuring that maritime issues are now in the [government’s] agenda,” he said.

This was echoed by Fabrizio Barcellona, ITF seafarer representative.

“We congratulate President Marcos for taking an important role in the situation of the Filipino seafarers. This is one step that will take them to be continuously visible and predominant in the industry. Today we are here to celebrate that, and we will continue supporting the Philippine government in developing your seafarers.

“You have raised the mark amongst other countries producing seafarers, and they must take your best practices.”

ECSA Secretary-General Sotiris Raptis also welcomed the EU’s decision asconfirmation of the Philippines’ compliance with international conventions.

“This is a positive development and shows the commitment of the government to respond to the shortcomings identified by the European Maritime Safety Agency,” he said.

“ITF is delighted with the decision. We very much welcome working with the Philippine government in the next stage of the process.

“Let’s see this as a beginning of a new chapter to make sure that Filipino seafarers continue to be the predominant crew around the world. We just need to focus on their education, training, and mitigating ambulance chasing,” Natalie Shaw, director of employment affairs of ICS, agreed.

Gargiulo warned, however, that the Philippines should not rest on its laurels. “The European Union’s letter points out concerns that still need to be addressed in the country’s maritime education system. We need to make sure that we continue to pursue the objectives that the advisory board has set. We are keen to work with the government to continue to address this,” he said.

It can be recalled that the EC issued a letter last March 31 stating that the Philippines has “demonstrated concrete progress and improvement as regards the compliance with the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.”

As such, the EU extended its recognition of Philippine-issued STCW certificates to its seafarers.

This effectively ends speculations that more than 50,000 Filipino seafarers will be banned onboard European-flagged ships should the Philippines fail the EMSA audit.

Local manning groups laud EC decision

The Association of Licensed Manning Agencies or ALMA Maritime Group (ALMA) lauded the decision of EC to extend its recognition of Philippine-issued STCW certificates.

“We respectfully call on the government and all maritime stakeholders to continue their collaboration to maintain our recognition, thereby securing the jobs of the Filipino seafarers that benefit not only their families but the entire nation as well,” the group said in a statement.

ALMA President Cristina Garcia also expressed the group’s commitment to extend its assistance in ensuring the continual improvement of systems in relation to the STCW Convention.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Transportation, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, the Maritime Industry Authority, and the Commission on Higher Education in securing the 50,000 berths of our Filipino seafarers anew,” it concluded.

The Joint Manning Group (JMG) echoed the same appreciation to the EC.

“The Commission’s continued recognition will ensure the stability of employment for Filipino seafarers. As the largest single nationality of seafarers serving the world’s shipping fleets, the JMG has been advocating the importance of building and continuously improving a trusted Philippine brand of seafarers and officers who reflect the highest standards of quality training, education and professionalism.

“The manning industry, our seafarers, and their families express our deepest appreciation and thanks to His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Migrant Workers for their unwavering support and personal efforts in engaging all the stakeholders of the maritime industry and the global shipping communities.”

Meanwhile, Döhle Seafront Crewing Manila Inc. president, lawyer Iris Baguilat, affirmed that this latest development “ensures the continuation of our operations and enables us to avoid any disruptions, particularly during these challenging times amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.”

Döhle Seafront is one of the largest and most prominent manning agencies in the Philippines. It is the crewing arm of Germany-based Döhle Group.

INTERNATIONAL maritime groups welcomed the recent decision of the European Commission (EC) Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move) to extend its recognition of certificates of Filipino seafarers.

Heads and representatives of the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) have jointly expressed their appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration for closely overseeing the compliance of the country on international maritime standards.

“The international community and shipping groups are elated with the news of extending the Filipino seafarers’ certificate. We are very grateful to President Marcos for his intervention. We are very impressed by his keenness of our concerns as employers and ship owners, and we are very happy with his approach that resulted in a positive outcome,” said Francesco Gargiulo, chief executive officer of IMEC.

He added that the EC’s decision to extend the validity and recognition of Philippine-issued certificates for seafarers has been a massive relief for global shipping employers.

Meanwhile, Helio Vicente, a senior manager on policy and employment affairs of the ICS, observed the unprecedented level of partnership between the government, seafarers, local unions and international maritime stakeholders at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to highlight the leadership of President Marcos in ensuring that maritime issues are now in the [government’s] agenda,” he said.

This was echoed by Fabrizio Barcellona, ITF seafarer representative.

“We congratulate President Marcos for taking an important role in the situation of the Filipino seafarers. This is one step that will take them to be continuously visible and predominant in the industry. Today we are here to celebrate that, and we will continue supporting the Philippine government in developing your seafarers.

“You have raised the mark amongst other countries producing seafarers, and they must take your best practices.”

ECSA Secretary-General Sotiris Raptis also welcomed the EU’s decision asconfirmation of the Philippines’ compliance with international conventions.

“This is a positive development and shows the commitment of the government to respond to the shortcomings identified by the European Maritime Safety Agency,” he said.

“ITF is delighted with the decision. We very much welcome working with the Philippine government in the next stage of the process.

“Let’s see this as a beginning of a new chapter to make sure that Filipino seafarers continue to be the predominant crew around the world. We just need to focus on their education, training, and mitigating ambulance chasing,” Natalie Shaw, director of employment affairs of ICS, agreed.

Gargiulo warned, however, that the Philippines should not rest on its laurels. “The European Union’s letter points out concerns that still need to be addressed in the country’s maritime education system. We need to make sure that we continue to pursue the objectives that the advisory board has set. We are keen to work with the government to continue to address this,” he said.

It can be recalled that the EC issued a letter last March 31 stating that the Philippines has “demonstrated concrete progress and improvement as regards the compliance with the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.”

As such, the EU extended its recognition of Philippine-issued STCW certificates to its seafarers.

This effectively ends speculations that more than 50,000 Filipino seafarers will be banned onboard European-flagged ships should the Philippines fail the EMSA audit.

Local manning groups laud EC decision

The Association of Licensed Manning Agencies or ALMA Maritime Group (ALMA) lauded the decision of EC to extend its recognition of Philippine-issued STCW certificates.

“We respectfully call on the government and all maritime stakeholders to continue their collaboration to maintain our recognition, thereby securing the jobs of the Filipino seafarers that benefit not only their families but the entire nation as well,” the group said in a statement.

ALMA President Cristina Garcia also expressed the group’s commitment to extend its assistance in ensuring the continual improvement of systems in relation to the STCW Convention.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Transportation, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, the Maritime Industry Authority, and the Commission on Higher Education in securing the 50,000 berths of our Filipino seafarers anew,” it concluded.

The Joint Manning Group (JMG) echoed the same appreciation to the EC.

“The Commission’s continued recognition will ensure the stability of employment for Filipino seafarers. As the largest single nationality of seafarers serving the world’s shipping fleets, the JMG has been advocating the importance of building and continuously improving a trusted Philippine brand of seafarers and officers who reflect the highest standards of quality training, education and professionalism.

“The manning industry, our seafarers, and their families express our deepest appreciation and thanks to His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Migrant Workers for their unwavering support and personal efforts in engaging all the stakeholders of the maritime industry and the global shipping communities.”

Meanwhile, Döhle Seafront Crewing Manila Inc. president, lawyer Iris Baguilat, affirmed that this latest development “ensures the continuation of our operations and enables us to avoid any disruptions, particularly during these challenging times amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.”

Döhle Seafront is one of the largest and most prominent manning agencies in the Philippines. It is the crewing arm of Germany-based Döhle Group.