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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos wants modern ships, skilled Pinoy seafarers amid evolving maritime sector

Marcos wants modern ships, skilled Pinoy seafarers amid evolving maritime sector

Published Jun 26, 2023 02:08 am
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stressed the need for the Philippine maritime sector to catch up with the "huge transformation" happening in the transportation industry by integrating new technologies in modern ships and upskilling Filipino seafarers.
*President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)*

Marcos said this as he graced the "Shaping the Future of Shipping — Seafarer 2050 Summit" in Pasay City on Monday, June 26. In his speech, the President noted that the entire transportation industry is undergoing a huge transformation marked by new and sustainable fuels and the increasing deployment of digitalization and automation. "To facilitate this shift, there is a need for the shipping industry to adapt and integrate new developments into their fleets, starting with the retooling of existing ships and the building of newer and more modern ships equipped with these new technologies," he said. "Another central part of this change necessarily includes investing in a highly qualified and well-trained workforce that will build, maintain, and man these shipping vessels and sail towards other opportunities," he added. According to Marcos, all maritime stakeholders must come together to envision and shape the future of the industry and global trade for the next 25 years. "We can do this by identifying the skills required for the new generation of ships, discussing education and training requirements, and committing to a fair and just transition to build a future-ready and resilient shipping industry," he said. In the Philippines, the so-called "Seafaring Capital of the World," Marcos said that his government would continue strengthening maritime-related policies and protecting seafarers and their loved ones. He reiterated his directive to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to work closely with the shipping industry on the upskilling and reskilling of Filipino seafarers to prepare them for the shift of ocean-going vessels from using the conventional fuel sources to green ammonia between 2030 to 2040. The President likewise enjoined national government agencies, multi-lateral organizers, and private stakeholders to work together in identifying strategies to ensure the availability of skilled workers to fulfill the requirements of the shipping industry. Marcos said this was urgent even though it is expected to come by 2050. "2050 may sound distant for now, but in the language of the seas, it will arrive in almost a heartbeat," he said. "It is vital that we now embark on a long-term, tangible, and sustainable effort that will address the many demands of the maritime sector in the years to come," he added. The seafarer summit brought together government ministers, regulators, non-government organizations (NGOs), and maritime industry stakeholders to shed light on the elements required for a successful transformation of seafarers' roles to meet the needs of shipping in the future. According to Malacañang, the event is organized by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA), with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC).

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Bongbong Marcos seafarers Filipino seafarers maritime industry President Marcos
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