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Deployment of Filipino Seafarers Projected to Increase
Jan 20, 2004
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is optimistic that employment of seafarers will continue to increase by 5% for 2004. With its strict adherence to the standards prescribed by the conventions of the International Maritime Organization, the Philippines will continue to be the country of choice among foreign ship owners and ship and crew managers for sourcing their ship’s officers and crew.
In the recent 23rd assembly of the International Maritime Organization held in London, member states of the organization renewed their support and confidence on the efforts of the Philippine Government at ensuring the effective implementation of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, by voting the Philippines to the top of category “C” of the IMO Council.
Citing a report from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Labor Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said that she is optimistic that the 5% increase in the deployment of seafarers for 2003 will be maintained this year. Filipino seafarers are preferred over other nationalities because of their technical competence, English language proficiency, and professionalism.
As the Philippines has laid the groundwork for its compliance with various security requirements of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the issue of increased maritime security concern has been addressed and is also a factor why Filipino seafarers are preferred.
Secretary Sto. Tomas said that the country has an adequate supply of well-educated, well-trained and English proficient seafarers. Maritime education in the country has gained new grounds as improved English courses and a subject on maritime language developed by IMO are now being taught in maritime schools nationwide. In addition, an integrated mobilization system has been set up by the government through the establishment of the Philippine Seafarers One-Stop Center (PSOC). The PSOC was created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was opened to serve Filipino seafarers last May 31, 2003 to provide a more efficient and effective documentation service to Filipino seafarers. The PSOC is comprised of fourteen (14) cooperative agencies located at the POEA Building.
“Market prospects for seabased deployment for the year 2004 is also promising as twelve new cruise ships serving the North American market will debut this year. The new entries to the CLIA fleet include the largest ocean liner ever built, the first new American flag cruise ship in 50 years and a bevy of floating resorts. There will be a sustained growth of the cruise industry which will definitely benefit Filipino seafarers as majority of these cruise lines are presently employing Filipino seafarers. In addition, tanker traffic in the global shipping market has started to pull up during the last quarter of 2003 and would require the competent hands and minds of the Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Sto. Tomas added.
POEA records showed that a total of 214,691 seafarers were deployed for the year 2003, 2.4% higher than the 209,593 deployed for the year 2002.
In the recent 23rd assembly of the International Maritime Organization held in London, member states of the organization renewed their support and confidence on the efforts of the Philippine Government at ensuring the effective implementation of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, by voting the Philippines to the top of category “C” of the IMO Council.
Citing a report from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Labor Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said that she is optimistic that the 5% increase in the deployment of seafarers for 2003 will be maintained this year. Filipino seafarers are preferred over other nationalities because of their technical competence, English language proficiency, and professionalism.
As the Philippines has laid the groundwork for its compliance with various security requirements of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the issue of increased maritime security concern has been addressed and is also a factor why Filipino seafarers are preferred.
Secretary Sto. Tomas said that the country has an adequate supply of well-educated, well-trained and English proficient seafarers. Maritime education in the country has gained new grounds as improved English courses and a subject on maritime language developed by IMO are now being taught in maritime schools nationwide. In addition, an integrated mobilization system has been set up by the government through the establishment of the Philippine Seafarers One-Stop Center (PSOC). The PSOC was created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was opened to serve Filipino seafarers last May 31, 2003 to provide a more efficient and effective documentation service to Filipino seafarers. The PSOC is comprised of fourteen (14) cooperative agencies located at the POEA Building.
“Market prospects for seabased deployment for the year 2004 is also promising as twelve new cruise ships serving the North American market will debut this year. The new entries to the CLIA fleet include the largest ocean liner ever built, the first new American flag cruise ship in 50 years and a bevy of floating resorts. There will be a sustained growth of the cruise industry which will definitely benefit Filipino seafarers as majority of these cruise lines are presently employing Filipino seafarers. In addition, tanker traffic in the global shipping market has started to pull up during the last quarter of 2003 and would require the competent hands and minds of the Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Sto. Tomas added.
POEA records showed that a total of 214,691 seafarers were deployed for the year 2003, 2.4% higher than the 209,593 deployed for the year 2002.
