Global demand for Filipino seafarers up on shipping, offshore demand growth — ATPI

Global demand for Filipino seafarers up on shipping, offshore demand growth — ATPI
Myla Iglesias November 17, 2025 https://malaya.com.ph/business/business-news/global-demand-for-filipino-...

Global demand for Filipino seafarers is on a sustained upswing, with industry projections pointing to 5 to 7 percent annual growth over the next 12 to 18 months as shipping, cruise and offshore sectors expand worldwide, a leading marine travel and logistics company said.

ATPI Travel Philippines said on Sunday continued growth of international fleets, the recovery of cruise and offshore segments, as well as the emergence of new regional hubs, are driving the need for more skilled Filipino crew.

“Demand for Filipino seafarers has grown steadily over the past year, particularly in offshore energy, short-sea container trades and passenger vessels,” Yvette Araullo, ATPI Philippines managing director, said.

“We expect 5 to 7 percent annual growth through emerging hubs over the next 12 to 18 months, and ATPI continues to invest in technology, airline partnerships and local infrastructure to support rising needs,” she added.

The BIMCO/International Chamber of Shipping Seafarer Workforce Report 2024 estimates that about 1.89 million seafarers serve on internationally trading merchant ships, composed of 857,540 officers and 1,035,180 ratings who perform deck and engine-room duties—underscoring the scale and competition within the global labor pool.

Araullo said these evolving fleet patterns are “reshaping deployment for Filipino seafarers” and highlight the need for greater digitalization and operational agility in crew movement and logistics.

To meet rising demand, ATPI has expanded data visibility and travel-management capabilities, strengthened its partnerships with airlines and marine agencies worldwide, and upgraded marine infrastructure across major transit hubs.

These moves secure capacity for time-sensitive crew changes and streamline coordination among shipowners, manning agencies and travel partners.

The company’s proprietary marine tech platforms—CrewHub and CrewLink—enable end-to-end management of crew travel, from booking and ticketing to real-time tracking and reporting, reducing manual intervention and increasing transparency for clients.

ATPI’s Travel Tracking System (TTS) further supports duty-of-care obligations by providing live location monitoring, risk alerts and instant communication with travelling crew.

ATPI recently deepened its Philippine footprint with the opening of its World Support Center (WSC) in Manila, a 24/7 operations facility offering a full suite of marine and travel management services. The center serves as both a talent hub and a strategic platform for the company’s global marine operations.

As a long-standing partner to the maritime sector, ATPI said it aims to strengthen the Philippines’ role as a critical global seafaring hub through technology-driven solutions, integrated communications, and expanded international reach.