The industry has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to continue to the certificates of some 50,000 Filipino seafarers serving on European-flagged ships.
Filipino seafarers faced a ban on European-flagged ships following a detailed assessment of the Philippines’ training and certification system in December 2021
EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: “We appreciate the constructive cooperation with the Philippine authorities and welcome their efforts to improve the system for seafarers’ training and certification.”
In the coming months, the Commission intends to provide technical assistance to the Philippines to further improve its education, training and certification system for seafarers.
The EC’s threat of a ban on Filipino seafarers is a long-running saga, dating back to a failed first audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
Training and Certification System of the Philippines. A series of failed audits over the following 15 years has led to continued uncertainty for Filipino seafarers and the country’s crewing industry.
The Joint Manning Group (JMG) welcomed the EC’s “positive announcement”, noting that it will “ensure stability of employment for Filipino seafarers”. She thanked Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jnr and the Ministry of Migrant Workers for their personal efforts to engage stakeholders from the maritime industry and global shipping companies.
Manila-based Magsaysay Group, the world’s largest crewing agency, described the decision as “great news for all our seafarers!” in the post on Twitter.
The EC decision was also welcomed by the European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
ECSA Secretary General Sotiris Raptis said: “This is a positive development as Filipino seafarers play a central role in European shipping and keep European trade flowing. By working with the authorities of the Philippines along with our industrial partners, ECSA aims to facilitate a productive dialogue between the country and the EU on important issues such as seafarers’ qualifications, training and certification.”
In January, ECSA and ICS, along with other industry partners and the Government of the Philippines, began collaborating within the framework of the newly formed International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA).
Guy Platten, ICS Secretary General added: “As a major seafaring nation, Filipino seafarers are an important and valued part of the seafaring workforce. This decision by the European Commission is a testament to the Philippines’ hard work to ensure seafarers’ training complies with regulations. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is pleased to be a partner to ensure these standards are met worldwide.”
Source: News Network
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