President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the rights of Filipino seafarers, acknowledging their exceptional skills and resilience in the global shipping industry. During the Day of the Seafarers 2025 celebration at Rizal Park Hotel in Manila, Marcos highlighted the dedication of Filipino seafarers, who often spend long periods away from home. He emphasized the need to strengthen maritime education and improve deployment conditions, underscoring the government’s role in investing in the long-term development of the nation’s sailors.
This year’s theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship Campaign,” aims to promote a culture of zero tolerance for abuse in the maritime sector. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stressed the importance of fostering respect and accountability aboard ships. He noted the IMO’s initiative to amend the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code to include training on preventing violence and harassment.
As of 2024, around 504,057 Filipino seafarers are deployed worldwide, comprising approximately 25% of the global seafarer population. The Day of the Seafarer, recognized by the United Nations, was established to honor the contributions of seafarers and address their challenges.
