The Philippinesโ Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducted a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Germany, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Solomon Islands, reinforcing the countryโs commitment to global maritime cooperation and the welfare of Filipino seafarers.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ-๐๐๐ซ๐จ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ
During the bilateral dialogue with Germany, MARINA highlighted the vital role of Filipino seafarers in global trade, with 7,500 Filipinos currently serving on German-registered ships. Both sides discussed the possible negotiation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the recognition of seafarersโ certificates, including prospects for a paperless certification system through digital interface.
The meeting also covered technical cooperation and the implementation of a net-zero framework for greenhouse gas emissions. MARINA expressed support for the initiative while noting the need for alignment with national authorities to address policy and technical challenges. Germany, for its part, conveyed strong interest in collaborating with the Philippines on national action plans, alternative fuels, and just transition transport initiatives.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
On the sidelines of the 34th IMO General Assembly, the Philippines and Ghana explored deeper maritime collaboration. MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan met with officials from Ghanaโs Ministry of Transport to discuss maritime administration, inland transportation reforms, and seafarer deployment practices.
Ghana expressed interest in improving ferry operations for coastal and inland areas, while the Philippines shared its innovations in domestic ferry safety, including the adoption of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) ships and efforts to develop electric ferries aligned with IMO sustainability objectives. MARINA also outlined the Philippinesโ institutional framework for seafarer protection and deployment. Both countries signaled readiness to pursue a possible MOU on technical cooperation.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Philippines and Sierra Leone are moving toward finalizing a Memorandum of Agreement recognizing seafarersโ certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping, 1978 (STCW Convention). The meeting also highlighted the strong presence of Filipino seafarers on Sierra Leone-registered vessels. Both sides agreed to explore deeper cooperation in capacity building, student exchange programs, and technical assistance.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ
In discussions with the Solomon Islands, MARINAโrepresented by Executive Director Samuel Batallaโaffirmed its readiness to provide technical assistance to help ensure compliance with the STCW Convention. The Philippines offered to formalize the recognition of seafarersโ certificates under Regulation I/10 and issued a letter of assurance outlining the development of a tailored technical cooperation program.
These engagements underscore the Philippinesโ proactive role in maritime safety, sustainability, and seafarer welfare, while strengthening its collaboration with international partners.
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