CEBU CITY – Thousands of job opportunities for seafarers from Central Visayas and other parts of the region will be available at the Marino World Manning Expo and Conference from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
With the theme “Shaping the Future of Filipino Seafarers for Sustainable Shipping,” the event will convene leading manning agencies, shipping firms, and industry experts to address workforce challenges amid tightening environmental rules, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
Event organizers said thousands of job opportunities underscore the sector’s continued demand for skilled maritime labor.
Participating recruiters include Pacific Ocean Manning, North Sea Marine Services, Kestrel Shipping, Crossworld Marine Services, Jebsen PTC, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Seaspan Philippines, Ionic Manila Manning, Senator Crewing Manila, Western Shipping Southeast Asia, CMA Ship Philippines, Century Maritime Agencies, and Net Ship Management.
This year’s expo will adopt Quanby Solutions’ facial recognition technology for registration, allowing pre-registered participants faster entry and enhanced security at the venue.
Beyond recruitment, the three-day conference will explore structural issues affecting the maritime workforce.
Sessions will cover upskilling and reskilling initiatives to align with the shipping industry’s decarbonization goals, as well as retention strategies to address high turnover rates.
Discussions will also revisit the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and examine pressing concerns, including onboard connectivity, mental health, welfare benefits, and reintegration support for returning workers.
The Philippines supplies roughly a quarter of the world’s seafarers, making the industry a critical driver of remittances and a vital pillar of the global shipping supply chain.
Organizers said the expo aims to strengthen the country’s maritime competitiveness by equipping its workforce for future disruptions.