“We have many new vessels, but we don’t have many qualified and experienced seafarers as Italians are not so much interested in working on ships," These words from Robert Cazullo, chairman of Italian Maritime Academy – Philippines, Inc. (IMA-Phils.) proved the need to hire more seamen in Italy.

According to Cazullo, shipping companies in Italy prefer to hire Filipino seafarers. To address the need, officials of Italy-based Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), a ship classification entity, launched the Italian Maritime Academy-Philippines, Inc. (IMA-Phils) September of last year. The academy would primarily “assess the professional skills of Filipinos" and help upgrade their capabilities.

The IMA chairman explained, “We believe Filipino seafarers are the most competent in seafarers in lower rank, at present. Through the IMA-Philippines, we would be able to produce seafarers for the high-level positions. We will be updating their knowledge on rules and regulations to meet the International standards."

According to him, Italian ship builders have been making more vessels, particularly cruise and passenger vessels and, in the near future, would also be making the so-called “gas ships" that would transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other chemical carrier vessels.

Teofilo Nieto, Jr, a Filipino ship Captain and  training director of IMA-Philippines, said that the academy serve as the graduate school for experienced Filipino seafarers aspiring to achieve higher levels of competence, and eventually be accommodated in Italian ships.

 “Their tuition will be shouldered by their employers. We are an assessment and training center for Filipino seamen with the purpose of enhancing their skills as required by the shipping firms" Nieto added.

The IMA-Philippines is located at the NEDA building in Makati. For more information, you can visit the http://www.imaphils.com/