The Philippines has kept its standing as one of the world’s leading sources of skilled seafarers, after the International Maritime Organization confirmed the country fully meets global rules for maritime education, training and certification.
The United Nations body retained the Philippines on the STCW White List, which marks that the nation follows all requirements of the 1978 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention in its updated form.
This recognition verifies that Philippine systems for teaching, training, testing, certifying and regulating seafarers meet accepted international benchmarks, and supports the strong reputation of Filipino maritime workers worldwide.
Maritime Industry Authority chief Sonia B. Malaluan said the renewed listing shows how solid the country’s maritime sector is. “Being kept on the IMO STCW White List confirms the quality of our education, training, certification and standards. Most of all, it shows the hard work of everyone in our maritime industry to make sure every Filipino seafarer is skilled, compliant and ready for the changing needs of global shipping,” Malaluan stated.
The status is set to keep or improve job opportunities for Filipino seafarers, whose papers are accepted by ship operators and maritime authorities across the globe.
The update also comes as the Philippines plays a larger part in shaping worldwide maritime rules, including taking part in the full review of the STCW Convention. The country is also carrying out changes under Republic Act 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which is designed to improve welfare, protection and career growth for maritime workers.
