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Philipppines undergoing crucial EMSA audit this weekPhilipppines undergoing crucial EMSA audit this week

This week the Philippines maritime training industry is undergoing its crucial second audit of its STCW compliance by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Marcus Hand, Editor

October 10, 2013

1 Min Read
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The audit is the second by EMSA this year and if the Philippines fails the audit 60,000 to 70,000 Filipino seafarers could be banned from working on EU-flagged ships.

EMSA first threatened to ban Filipino seafarers from EU-flagged ships in 2010 after a follow-up audit on a 2006 audit found recommendations on STCW compliance had not been implemented.

The audit in April this year is understood to have not gone as well the industry had hoped. Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) head Nicasio Conti, who had been tasked by the Philippines President Benigo Aquino to bring the Philippines into STCW compliance, was replaced in May by Maximo Q. Mejia, previously with the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden.

Local reports do not appear positive over the potential that the Philippines pass the STCW audit this week with Tinig Ng Marino, the newspaper of union United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) quoting sources as saying EMSA team reaction had been one of “disappointment”.

“It looks like we’re going to fail again. The fate of our seafarers is really worrisome,” an unnamed official was quoted as saying.

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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