The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently spearheaded the country’s delegation to a top-level meeting and training of international maritime groups held in the United Kingdom as efforts to address various issues in the maritime sector -- such as bullying and harassment -- were tackled.
MARINA Administrator Hernani N. Fabia said that the Philippine delegation participated in the 9th Session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) held at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London from Feb. 6 to 10.
“The HTW deals with the human side of shipping including training and certification, review and revision of IMO model courses; and guidance addressing issues such as fatigue bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH),” he said in a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
During the conference, Fabia also took the chance to express the country’s position on key issues in the maritime industry.
These include the implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and STCW Code; Comprehensive Review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention, as well as the Philippines' efforts to address the proliferation of fraudulent certificates.
The STCW Convention established the STCW Code in 1978 to improve the worldwide standards for safety and training of professional mariners. Meanwhile, the STCW-F convention was adopted by the IMO in 1995 as a separate treaty for personnel of fishing vessels.
Fabia also held a separate meeting with IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim where he shared the country’s initiatives in pursuing the interests of the Filipino seafarers in adherence with the SCTW Convention.
He thanked the IMO for supporting the Philippines through its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), which is designed to address the maritime needs of developing countries for a safer and more secure shipping, enhanced environmental protection, and facilitation of international maritime traffic.
In response, Lim assured Fabia that the IMO “will continue to provide technical assistance to the Philippines.”