Philippine Maritime News

MARINA chief ensures global shipping firms to develop competent Filipino seamen

Nicasio Conti officer-in-charge of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has assured the international shipping companies of the Philippines’ commitment to produce more qualified and competent seafarers. He made this assurance in a presentation he delivered during the National Shipping Industry Conference held from August 6 to 8 in Melbourne, Australia.

Conti said in his paper entitled, “Maritime Workforce Innovation in the Philippines,” that all efforts and programs being implemented by the DOTC under the stewardship of Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II are geared toward improving the quality of the Filipino seafarers.

“One out every four seafarers in the international seaborne trade is a Filipino. That is why all our efforts are geared toward ensuring that the Philippines will remain number one in providing qualified and competent seafarers worldwide – and we are committed to remain number one,” Conti said.

He elaborated before the conference attendees representing large shipping companies in Australia and in other parts of the globe the recent reforms and initiatives that the Philippines implemented to enhance and promote the competitiveness of Filipino seafarers.

Among the reforms implemented are Manila’s Amendment to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, efforts to ratify and implement the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention or MLC 2006, and the ratification of the Seafarers Identity Document Convention.

Conti also emphasized the innovation in the adoption and execution of critical changes to promote efficiency in the overall performance on the maritime workforce.

These changes include the enhancement of existing human capacity and the re-engineering of the regulatory framework to make it consistent with international practice pursuant to Executive Order No. 75 issued and signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on April 30, 2012, designating DOTC, through the MARINA, as the single and central maritime administration for STCW.

Conti was joined by International Maritime organization Secretary General Koji Sekimizu who delivered the keynote address in the well attended Natship 21.

The conference was organized by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and supported by Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Australian Shipowners’ Association and Australian Maritime Systems.