Philippines launches Maritime Workforce Portal to bolster evidence-based policy, seafarer welfare

Philippines launches Maritime Workforce Portal to bolster evidence-based policy, seafarer welfare
Liz Lagniton July 21, 2025 https://maritimefairtrade.org/philippines-launches-maritime-workforce-po...

In a move aimed at transforming maritime policymaking and boosting the welfare of Filipino seafarers and fishermen, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) on July 15, formally launched the Philippine Maritime Workforce Portal (PMWP), a centralized digital database that consolidates information about the country’s maritime labor force.

The initiative was unveiled during the 2025 NMP Maritime Research Forum held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. The forum served as a platform for launching the PMWP and presenting recent research that underscores the critical role of data in shaping responsive, future-ready maritime policies.

The portal, described as a comprehensive data analytics web platform, will host a range of key statistics on the Philippine maritime workforce, including seafarer demographics, education and training records, employment data, and labor market trends.

According to organizers, this tool is not just a repository of information, it is designed to drive strategic decision-making across the maritime sector.

“The PMWP is more than a database, it is a strategic tool that will help us uplift the lives of Filipino seafarers and reinforce the country’s maritime strength,” said Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)’s deputy administrator for planning, Nenita Atienza.

“The initiative supports evidence-based planning and aims to align the supply of Filipino maritime professionals with global industry demands,” she said.

The MARINA, one of the key agencies backing the initiative, has committed to serve as a data provider alongside the Commission on Higher Education, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the NMP. Their collaboration ensures that the portal’s content remains accurate, reliable, and actionable.

The project was officially formalized through a memorandum of agreement signing among partner agencies during the forum.

The portal also received the backing of the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, reflecting a broader national strategy to strengthen the Philippines’ standing in global maritime affairs.

“As part of the mandate of the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, we also need to understand how we are contributing to the international seafaring industry. And I would suppose that this portal will help us come up with maritime policies that will assist the government,” said Secretary Andres Centino, head of the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns.

Centino emphasized that the platform can serve as a bridge between data and policy, helping address challenges faced by the country’s vast maritime workforce, including those operating in international waters and those engaged in domestic fishing.
Research-driven dialogue

The PMWP launch was a highlight of the 2025 Maritime Research Forum, which brought together maritime policymakers, educators, and researchers to discuss recent studies that could help guide the industry through current and future challenges.

Research presentations from maritime higher education institutions, including the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, focused on a range of issues such as workforce development, sustainable resource use, and gender-based concerns in seafaring.

Among the key findings shared was the low educational attainment of many Filipino fishermen, which researchers say hinders their ability to assert their rights in Philippine waters, especially amid intensifying maritime disputes.

Raising their education levels, researchers argued, would empower fishers to better understand marine regulations, territorial claims, and environmental stewardship, an urgent concern as maritime boundaries become increasingly contested.

“Years ago, we didn’t realize how vast our waters are, this was gifted to us,” Centino said. “It’s incredibly wide, and we just realized it’s actually seven times larger than our land area. So, we have abundant resources and so much potential. That’s why activity like this is an opportunity for us to inform the public that we possess these resources, a large maritime area that we must protect and preserve.”

One of the pressing topics raised during the forum was the issue of harassment experienced by women onboard ships, a matter often underreported but widespread in the maritime industry.

The research stressed the need for better protection mechanisms, gender-sensitivity training, and inclusive policies onboard vessels. Data from the portal is expected to help illuminate the scale of these issues and guide efforts to address them through legislation and industry reforms.

The forum also underscored the importance of integrating data into training programs, particularly those aimed at preparing Filipino maritime professionals for the rapidly evolving demands of the global shipping industry.
Legislative push for maritime modernization

As the Philippines accelerates its maritime reforms, MARINA is pushing for the passage of two critical bills aimed at revitalizing the shipbuilding and ship registry sectors—areas that have long struggled with outdated laws and inadequate financing.

The Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Development Bill and the Philippine Ship Registry Bill are currently pending in the 20th Congress. These measures are designed to close regulatory and investment gaps, modernize infrastructure, and create a competitive business environment for maritime enterprises.

“We envision shipyards that are internationally competitive, capable of building and maintaining green, energy-efficient vessels for both domestic use and export,” said MARINA’s administrator Sonia Malaluan during the recent launch of Ocean Centers Philippines in Makati.

The SBSR Development Bill proposes a clear framework for shipyard operations, promotes investment, and supports workforce reskilling. Meanwhile, the Registry Bill aims to simplify the vessel registration process and align it with international standards to enhance the country’s attractiveness as a flag state.

“These two bills are the enablers,” Malaluan said. “They will strengthen our regulatory framework, offer support mechanisms, and address the financing needs of our stakeholders.”

She warned that failure to update Philippine maritime laws could cause the country to lag behind other nations that are rapidly transitioning to low-emission, high-tech shipping models.
Seafarer upskilling for green transition

With the maritime industry undergoing a global push toward decarbonization, the Philippines is also focusing on preparing its maritime workforce for ships powered by alternative fuels and advanced automation systems.

“We need to modernize not just ships, but our mindset,” Malaluan said during the opening of the 2025 International Safety@Sea Conference in Singapore on July 15.

The Safety@Sea Conference convened maritime safety experts and regulators worldwide to address both traditional and emerging risks in global shipping, from operational safety to the implications of decarbonization and digital transformation.

“From a human capital perspective, we are at a crucial crossroads,” Malaluan said. “Right now, there is a noticeable gap between the pace of regulatory and technological changes and the preparedness of the workforce expected to implement them.”

The MARINA chief pointed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s revised GHG Strategy adopted in 2023 and the upcoming Net Zero Framework as strong signals of commitment to decarbonization.

However, she cautioned that these ambitions must be supported by a robust investment in seafarer training and support systems.

“Seafarers are being asked to adapt to unfamiliar technologies, such as alternative fuels and automation systems, without the benefit of proven training methodologies or operational experience,” she said.

To address this, the Philippines supported the adoption of the Generic Interim Guidelines on Training for Seafarers on Ships Using Alternative Fuels and Technologies, which were approved at MSC 110 in June 2025. The country had earlier backed the same guidelines at the IMO’s HTW 11 meeting.

“We are optimistic that the GHG framework will help bridge the gap between innovation and workforce preparedness,” Malaluan said.

“Yes, training is key and crucial for the safe operations of ships using alternative fuels and new technologies. And when we talk of safety, we should all be onboard — the governments, international organizations, shipowners, seafarers, and all stakeholders — leveraging partnerships and collaboration,” she added.