Marina: PH remains on IMO 'whitelist'
Published Mar 21, 2019 12:00 am
By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has confirmed the Philippines is still on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) so-called “whitelist” of countries that comply with the STCW Convention 1978, the international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.
MARINA logo (Photo courtesy of www.marina.gov.ph)
Marina said this was confirmed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) that the Philippines has communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect is given to the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended or the so-called IMO “Whitelist.”
Marina said this information was based on MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.10 dated 23 May 2016 and MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.18 dated 24 July 2017 which contains the existing list.
This positive information should put to rest fears of adverse impact on the plight of the more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers.
In accordance with Regulation I/7 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, the IMO Secretariat facilitates the preparation of the list of Parties which have submitted a report demonstrating full and complete implementation of the relevant provisions of the Convention.
The IMO secretary-general then submits the list for review and confirmation by the MSC and publishes it in the form of the aforementioned MSC Circulars.
It is for this reason that the IMO Secretariat prepared a proposed revised list, which would be a living document for the continuing inclusion of Parties or countries fulfilling their obligations under the said regulation of the Convention.
This proposed revised list is included as Agenda item 12, for consideration and discussion during the Sixth Session of IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) on 29 April to 03 May 2019.
Pursuant to its mandates, Marina will be attending the said HTW Session as part of the delegation of the Philippine government to participate in the discussion and assert appropriate position regarding the proposed document.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Marina, assures the maritime industry stakeholders of its unwavering commitment in carrying out its obligation under the Convention, according to the MARINA statement “With national legislations coupled by the necessary quality standard and IT support systems in place, the MARINA is confident of the Philippines’ continuing inclusion in the ‘Whitelist’,” it added.
MARINA logo (Photo courtesy of www.marina.gov.ph)
Marina said this was confirmed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) that the Philippines has communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect is given to the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended or the so-called IMO “Whitelist.”
Marina said this information was based on MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.10 dated 23 May 2016 and MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.18 dated 24 July 2017 which contains the existing list.
This positive information should put to rest fears of adverse impact on the plight of the more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers.
In accordance with Regulation I/7 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, the IMO Secretariat facilitates the preparation of the list of Parties which have submitted a report demonstrating full and complete implementation of the relevant provisions of the Convention.
The IMO secretary-general then submits the list for review and confirmation by the MSC and publishes it in the form of the aforementioned MSC Circulars.
It is for this reason that the IMO Secretariat prepared a proposed revised list, which would be a living document for the continuing inclusion of Parties or countries fulfilling their obligations under the said regulation of the Convention.
This proposed revised list is included as Agenda item 12, for consideration and discussion during the Sixth Session of IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) on 29 April to 03 May 2019.
Pursuant to its mandates, Marina will be attending the said HTW Session as part of the delegation of the Philippine government to participate in the discussion and assert appropriate position regarding the proposed document.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Marina, assures the maritime industry stakeholders of its unwavering commitment in carrying out its obligation under the Convention, according to the MARINA statement “With national legislations coupled by the necessary quality standard and IT support systems in place, the MARINA is confident of the Philippines’ continuing inclusion in the ‘Whitelist’,” it added.