Filipino seafarers stand to benefit from a joint initiative between the European Union (EU) and the Philippines to enhance maritime education, training, certification, and labor conditions.
In a special press briefing on Dec. 2, 2024, organized by the European Union Embassy, Niclas Kvarnström, managing director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, emphasized the Philippines’ importance as a partner of the EU. “Our relationship with the Philippines has remained strong and multi-dimensional,” he stated. As such, people-to-people exchanges and capacity-building initiatives for seafarers are high on the agenda of the EU.
Kvarnström, who is leading the EU contingent in the Fourth Joint Committee with the Philippines, highlighted the EU's commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas beyond maritime training.
This initiative is part of the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE), which includes a €4 million allocation to improve seafarer training and certification in the Philippines. The program, launched last month, aims to ensure Filipino seafarers remain globally competitive while benefiting from fair labor conditions.
He also met with key government officials and civil society organizations and discussed areas of mutual interest to both the EU and the Philippines.
European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro added, “The European Union is collaborating with the Philippines to improve and sustain the quality of the country’s system of maritime education, training, and certification. These efforts ultimately support global trade and economic stability.”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Maritime Higher Education Institutions, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are key stakeholders in this initiative.
It will be recalled that the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport extended its recognition last April 2023 of the Philippine government’s maritime education, training, and certification for seafarers after taking note of the country’s actions in addressing some of its serious deficiencies.
Filipino seafarers were facing a ban from European-flagged vessels following a detailed assessment of the training and certification system in place in the Philippines in December 2021. The Commission said it would withdraw recognition of Philippines-issued seafarer certificates unless serious measures were taken, including the compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
With approximately 1.15 million seafarers—the Philippines is a leading supplier of maritime talent, providing approximately 25 percent of the global seafaring workforce. The shipping sector is a key pillar of the Philippine economy, making substantial contributions to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Over the next three years, the initiative will help train Filipino seafarers so they can continue working internationally and under good labor conditions.
In addition to the seafarer training initiative, Kvarnström also discussed other global challenges, including disinformation campaigns stemming from countries involved in conflicts and international issues. “We are actively working with the Philippines to counter disinformation and cyber threats. Strengthening civil society is critical to building resilience against these challenges,” he explained.
He further stressed the importance of global cooperation in securing cyberspace. “Responsible actors who adhere to international law must work together to ensure cyberspace remains secure and governed by principles of justice and accountability,” Kvarnström concluded.