Public-private partnership needed to secure Filipino seafarers – think tank

Public-private partnership needed to secure Filipino seafarers – think tank
August 26, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Caps and Partners Inc. (CAPS), a policy think tank, is alarmed over the future of the Filipino seafarers who are facing a “double whammy” due to the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the global maritime industry and the uncertain findings of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit.

The key to addressing this is for maritime industry stakeholders to forge partnerships, according to CAPS, which is advocating for the development of the Philippine maritime industry.

“Neither the government nor the maritime training schools and manning agencies could effectively and completely address the findings of EMSA. Only through partnerships among the maritime stakeholders can the concerns be fully addressed,” Michael Eric Castillo, CAPS president and CEO, said in a recent statement.

According to CAPS, there 1,647,500 seafarers worldwide who are serving on international trading merchant ships — of which 774,000 are officers and 873,500 are ratings, skilled seafarers who carry out support work for officers.

Filipinos make up the “single biggest nationality bloc” in the global shipping industry, CAPS said, citing a study made by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

The Philippines is the world’s chief supplier of ratings since 1987, topping the top five list that includes China, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

On the other hand, China is the biggest supplier of officers, followed by the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and the Russian Federation.

more...https://globalnation.inquirer.net/190421/public-private-partnership-need...