Global employers seek clear Filipino seafarer rules

Global employers seek clear Filipino seafarer rules
Carmela I. Huelar October 7, 2026 https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/07/business/maritime/global-employer...

GLOBAL shipping companies still strongly prefer Filipino seafarers over other nationalities, but vague regulatory rules and inconsistent government enforcement threaten to undermine that demand, an international maritime leader warned.

Speaking at the Philippine Maritime Conference (Philmarcon 2026), Francesco Gargiulo, chief executive officer of the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), emphasized that mariners from the Philippines maintain an exceptional global standing. “From the perspective of international maritime employers, Filipino seafarers continue to hold an exceptional position within the global shipping industry,” Gargiulo said.

“They are respected worldwide for their professionalism, competence, adaptability and commitment.”

However, during recent consultations with major fleet managers, Gargiulo noted a shifting reality. “I was in Greece last week and met with a number of Greek shipowners and managers... for the first time in many years, several employers also raised questions about whether they may need to seek additional nationalities to complement their existing Filipino crewing pools,” he revealed.

He clarified that this hesitation was not due to worker quality, but stemmed directly from operational uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. “Today, the issue I hear most frequently from international employers is no longer about the legislation itself. Rather, it concerns the inconsistent interpretation of advisories and implementing guidance by different offices and individual employees,” Gargiulo explained.

To address these concerns, Gargiulo urged Philippine regulators to engage foreign fleet managers before finalizing new directives. “What many employers would welcome is the opportunity to be canvassed before decisions are finalized rather than being asked for feedback, clarification or support only after implementation has already commenced,” he stated.

Highlighting IMEC’s ongoing investments — including a new four-story academic building and an upcoming dormitory facility at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific — Gargiulo reassured stakeholders of the industry’s long-term commitment. He concluded that preserving the country’s workforce dominance relies on regulatory stability: “When employers are confident, they invest more, recruit more, train more and retain more Filipino seafarers. When confidence is weakened by uncertainty, employers inevitably begin exploring alternatives.”