OFW conquers uncharted territory

A recognized leader and one of the most established entrepreneurs of the Philippine maritime industry, Carlos Salinas has indeed sailed his ship successfully after a seafaring journey in the foreign shores.

The shipping industry, accounting over 90 percent of total world trade, was an uncharted territory for the country in the past as ships are usually registered in other countries, operated by a management company from a third country, with an international complement of seafarers.

It was not an easy task to get established seafaring nations to consider the Philippines for internationally-qualified maritime professionals. However, Salinas remained undaunted as he believed that a Filipino seafarer can be at par with the best of the world.

In February 1979, Salinas climbed to greater heights after learning the ropes in his 46 years of career in the maritime field when he established the Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC).

His diligence, determination, passion and perseverance to make the Philippines a major key player in the global maritime industry and a major supplier of maritime professionals made him one of the recipients of the Overseas Filipino Entrepreneurs (OFEs) awards to be given out by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III at the Go Negosyo Para sa mga OFWs at Balikbayans fair, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Concepcion.

The fair opened today slated at Market! Market! Trade Halls A & B in Taguig.

As one of the largest maritime resource management companies in the country, PTC started off in a 100-square meter office in Manila, operating three ships, with a staff of six, deploying 72 seafarers.

Now, it occupies a 10-story building in the premier business district of Makati, with a staff of 200 shore-based personnel, deploying over 24,000 professional seafarers in partnership with a wide number of ship owners worldwide.

Salinas’ persistent vision in the Filipino talent was brought into full bloom when a leading Norwegian ship owner became the first to employ a full-Filipino crew. In 1980, a brand new car carrier owned by a Norwegian company was fully commanded by 24 Filipino crew provided by PTC.

This breakthrough triggered the confidence of the Norwegians and other foreign ship owners to begin fully relying on the capability of the Filipino seafarers.

PTC’s contributions to maritime development helped expand opportunities for the maritime sector. PTC was able to send 40 selected Filipino officers and engineers to Scandinavia to undergo rigid training preparatory to taking over three of the most modern vessels built at that time.

Today, there are over 20,000 Filipinos from various companies on board Norwegian vessels and a total deployment of 260,000 on board 25 percent of the world’s fleet.

"I am thankful that foreign employers have recognized the capability of the Filipinos," Salinas said. "I am equally grateful for their support of PTC and its initiatives, which has helped make us what we are today."

Recognized as the number one provider of maritime professionals accounting for some 25 percent of total seafarers on board all ships, with over $ 2 billion dollars in inward remittances to the country and growing at almost 10 percent per year, the Philippines relishes a resurgence of the Filipino seafarers whose contributions help boost the economy in no uncertain terms at present.

In an effort to continuously seek out opportunities for the Filipino seafarers, Salinas also set up the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training (PHILCAMSAT).

Using state-of-the-art computer simulators, including a Full Ship’s Bridge and Engine Room, PHILCAMSAT provides Filipino seafarers the means to become world-class and to train for higher-level management positions as captains and officers on board all types of vessels plying the seven seas. "For the Filipino seafarer, only through continuous development can we achieve a brighter future. There is no substitute for hard work.

The sacrifices of yesterday and today will undoubtedly reap tremendous benefits for our country and for our people in the future," Salinas maintains.