Phl averts EU maritime sanctions

Manila, Philippines -  Major players in the local maritime industry commended the Aquino administration for averting the displacement of about 80,000 Filipino seafarers contributing about P4.5 billion in remittance every year.

The Department of Transportation and Communications together with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) have finalized the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order 75 signed last April 30 by President Aquino.

The guidelines helped solved the issues raised by the European Maritime Safety Agency that conducted a performance audit and threatened to submit an unfavorable recommendation to the European Commission on the Philippines’ compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers.

EO 75 designated the DOTC, through MARINA, as the single administration in the Philippines responsible for the oversight in the implementation of the 1978 International Convention on STCW for seafarers.

The withdrawal of EU’s recognition of the STCW Certificates issued by the Philippine government and delisting from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) White List would result in the displacement of about 80,000 Filipino seafarers on-board EU registered ships.

Major players in the industry expressed their gratitude to Transportation secretary Mar Roxas in solving the problem of the Philippine maritime industry with EMSA.

Had EMSA filed the recommendation, MARINA officer in charge Nic Conti warned that other major ship-owning countries like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US would no longer employ Filipino seafarers.

Likewise, he added that all Philippine registered ships would be rendered unseaworthy by operation of the withdrawal of STCW recognition for Filipino seafarers.

“Because of this swift measure, EMSA deferred its submission of unfavorable recommendation to the EU which could also result to the Philippines’ delisting from the IMO’s White List,” he said.

The group that attended the meeting was composed of representatives from Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions,, Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment, Conference of Maritime Manning Agencies, Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc., Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union, United Filipino Seafarers, Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc. Tinig ng Marino and Philippine Liner Shipping Association.