Filipino seafarers should expect more opportunities to board Norwegian-owned and -controlled vessels as the Philippine government, through the embassy in Oslo, sought an agreement with Norway on recognition of Philippine-issued seafarers certificates.
The development came as Philippine Ambassador to Norway Erico Fos and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Hernani Fabia met with Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) Director General of Shipping and Navigation Knut Arild Hareide to discuss the early conclusion and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with regards to seafarers' certification raised by the European Union for the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday the meeting happened on June 7 at the sidelines of the Nor-Shipping Conference in Lillestrom, Norway.
"The proposed MOA would also enhance cooperation between the maritime authorities of the two countries to reinforce the technical and administrative capabilities in the matter of the seafarers labor maritime affairs, among others," DFA said.
Aside from more opportunities, the agreement would also open up "avenues for upskilling Filipino seafarers on advanced maritime technology."
That includes the decarbonization and digitalization in the implementation of the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Both countries also agreed to create a technical working group to harmonize each others' standards and processes, DFA added.
Currently, Norwegian shipping companies employ around 25,000 Filipinos, accounting for one-third of the total number of seafarers on their controlled vessels.
With the agreement, "it is expected that a substantial number of additional Filipino seafarers would be deployed to Norwegian-owned ships," according to DFA.