EU and Philippines team up to boost seafarers’ training, certification and labor conditions

Today, the Government of the Philippines and the European Union have launched a Technical Assistance Project to improve seafarers' training, education and working conditions in the Philippines. The project, part of the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE), is funded by the European Commission with a total €4 million allocated.

The shipping sector is a key pillar of the Philippine economy, making substantial contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2022, the industry directly accounted for 4% of the Philippines’ GDP, with seafarers’ remittances adding another 1.7%. With approximately 1.15 million seafarers—the Philippines is a leading supplier of maritime talent, providing approximately 25% of the global seafaring workforce.

Seafarers need to have proper certification to be able to work worldwide. Over the next three years, the project will support the improvement of the training, certification, and wellbeing of Filipino seafarers so they can continue working internationally and under good labor conditions.

Key Philippine institutions collaborating on this project include the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Maritime Higher Education Institutions, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Speaking in the margins of the launch event, Fotini Ioannidou, Director for Waterborne Transport at the European Commission, said:

"The European Commission is delighted to support this significant project, further strengthening the Philippines' education, training, and certification system for seafarers, and demonstrating the solid partnership between the Philippines and the European Union. The project will not only bring mutual benefits to both the Philippines and the EU but also contribute positively to the global shipping industry, recognising Filipino seafarers as a cornerstone of the maritime workforce worldwide."

H.E. Massimo Santoro, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, said:

"The European Union is partnering with the Philippines to improve and sustain the quality of the country’s system of maritime education, training and certification, and of recruitment and placement of seafarers for the benefit of its people, economy and of ultimately also of global trade."

Philippine Department of Transportation Secretary, Jaime J. Bautista, said:

"A law was recently signed – the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers – ensuring the protection and benefits of our highly-skilled mariners. We most welcome the assistance of the European Union at strengthening the education, training and certification of our seafarers who remain the top choice as crew of the global shipping industry.”

Background

The Seafarers Technical Assistance project will also carry out some activities benefitting Indonesia and the ASEAN region and is part of the overall EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE). With a total budget of 60 million EUR, SCOPE addresses several shared connectivity priorities to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the EU and ASEAN.