- Philippines ramps up seafarer training reforms after EU concerns over maritime education deficiencies and repeated STCW inspection failures.
- 15 non-compliant programs closed, new curricula and assessment tests introduced, with ongoing collaboration between MARINA, CHEd, and industry experts.
- Efforts aim to safeguard global recognition and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers, who make up a significant share of the international maritime workforce.
Philippine authorities are ramping up efforts to improve the quality of seafarer training in response to longstanding concerns from the European Commission (EC) over deficiencies in the country’s maritime education sector. The move follows a 2022 report by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which found that Filipino maritime training programs failed to meet the international standards set by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). The report noted that the Philippines had failed 17 annual inspections dating back to 2006.
In a briefing in Manila, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) outlined measures to address these issues, including the closure of 15 non-compliant maritime training programs and a five-year moratorium on the establishment of new programs. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of the initiative, noting that maintaining global recognition for Philippine seafarers who constitute a significant portion of the world’s maritime workforce is vital.
The EC’s recent appraisal acknowledged 'concrete progress and improvement' in meeting international standards. MARINA’s chief highlighted that recognition by the EC is valid for ten years but will require ongoing monitoring and assessment by EMSA. Continuous training and capacity building for maritime personnel remain critical to sustaining these standards.
Authorities are also working to enhance the educational framework by collaborating with industry experts to update curricula for maritime programs. This partnership aims to ensure maritime schools are equipped with sufficient facilities, competent instructors, and the necessary equipment to provide training aligned with EMSA standards. CHEd Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III emphasised that rigorous oversight of schools is essential, covering both curriculum delivery and practical training conditions.
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To further strengthen the system, MARINA is developing new assessment tests to better evaluate candidates’ readiness for maritime programs. The agency also plans to partner with the Philippine Coast Guard for ongoing institutional evaluations. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is coordinating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to explore supplementary training initiatives aimed at advancing the careers of Filipino seafarers.
The initiatives are particularly significant given that around 50,000 Filipino officers and masters are employed on EU-flagged vessels, and approximately 20-25% of all international commercial seafarers are Filipino. Improving training and certification processes is key to maintaining their employment opportunities and global competitiveness.
As the Philippines strengthens its maritime education system, authorities remain focused on developing programs that comply with international regulations while equipping Filipino seafarers with the skills and knowledge necessary for long-term career success.
