Australia and the Philippines have reinforced maritime cooperation by reaffirming the mutual recognition of seafarer certificates, a move expected to ease administrative barriers and improve shipping efficiency between the two nations, the Australian Embassy in Manila said.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown met with Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan in Manila to formalize the arrangement, highlighting its significance for regulators and for thousands of Filipino seafarers deployed in global fleets.
“This is not just about certificates—it is about people and prosperity,” Innes-Brown said, pointing to the agreement’s human and economic impact. He noted that nearly 95 percent of Australia’s two-way goods trade with the Philippines is transported by sea.
In 2024 and 2025, Australia logged 52 port visits by Philippine-flagged vessels, the highest level in the past five years.
The mutual recognition framework enables Filipino seafarers’ qualifications to be accepted more readily, supporting labor mobility while maintaining international standards for training and certification.
For shipping companies, the arrangement translates into smoother crew deployment and more efficient maritime operations, aligned with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Malaluan said the memorandum underscores the Philippines’ commitment to a “robust and internationally compliant system of training, assessment, and certification” that meets global maritime standards.
Australia also formally endorsed the Philippines-led Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-being, reinforcing protections for maritime workers. The agreement comes as both countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, amid expanding cooperation in maritime security, trade facilitation, and sustainable shipping.
