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Global leaders from organisations representing seafarers, shipowners and other maritime employers signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippines\u2019s Department of Migrant Workers on Wednesday 11 January, to form the International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA).<\/p>\n
The IACGMA is composed of the European Community Shipowners\u2019 Associations (ECSA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Maritime Employers\u2019 Council (IMEC), and the International Transport Workers\u2019 Federation (ITF).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Philippine government through its Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomes the participation of well-respected industry associations and leaders from the global shipping industry in developing our roadmap to a just transition as well as boosting the global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers across the globe,\u201d Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said during the signing ceremony of DMW with its international partners.<\/p>\n
The Secretary assured the IACGMA\u2019s international partners that other relevant government agencies in the Philippines such as the Department of Transportation and its attached agency, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have expressed support to the goals and vision of the newly-formed advisory body.<\/p>\n
The formation of the IACGMA follows a meeting that took place on 13 December 2022 where shipping industry leaders met with His Excellency President Ferdinand \u2018Bongbong\u2019 Marcos Jr, as part of his foreign policy tour in Brussels. During the meeting, President Marcos recommended the establishment of a new advisory board to be made up of employers, shipowners and unions and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to give expert advice on major maritime issues affecting Filipino seafarers.<\/p>\n
The creation of the IACGMA solidifies the shipping industry and Philippines government\u2019s commitment to ensuring the welfare of its seafarers and finding solutions to the challenges ahead.<\/p>\n
Key aims of the IACGMA include contributing to the provision of appropriate training to the country\u2019s seafarers in compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. The IACGMA will also work to address concerns regarding ambulance chasing and unfair labour practices, and on issues related to the employability of Filipino seafarers overseas; all key areas of discussion during the group\u2019s December meeting.<\/p>\n
Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners\u2019 Associations said:<\/p>\n
\u201cECSA welcomes the establishment of the IACGMA and is honoured to bring its expertise to this initiative. Filipino seafarers play a crucial role in EU shipping and in keeping European trade moving. By engaging in the International Advisory Committee together with our industry partners, ECSA strives to be a strategic partner to the Philippines and facilitate a productive dialogue with the EU institutions on matters of key importance such as seafarers\u2019 qualifications, training, and certification\u201d.<\/p>\n
International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Guy Platten said:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is excellent that the IACGMA has been formed so swiftly following the industry\u2019s meeting with President Marcos in December 2022. It signifies the strength of commitment from industry and the Philippines to ensuring safety and protection for Filipino seafarers, who make up a huge 14% of the global seafarer workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ICS look forward to collaborating with ECSA, IMEC, ITF and the Philippines Government to tackle the challenges ahead for our workforce, and to ensure a bright future for our seafarers.\u201d<\/p>\n
International Maritime Employers\u2019 Council Chairman, Capt. Belal Ahmed said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe formation of IACGMA is a massive milestone in the public-private discourse and we are confident this will lead to a new golden era for the Philippines in the maritime industry. We are delighted that President Marcos seized the industry\u2019s offer to assist with the current challenges and has committed his government\u2019s resources to addressing our concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIMEC is particularly proud of this partnership which builds upon its decades of commitment to educating and employing Filipino seafarers and more recently its contribution to the country\u2019s maritime education offering through the Train the Trainer programme.\u201d<\/p>\n
International Transport Workers\u2019 Federation General Secretary\u00a0 and SRI Advisory Board member Stephen Cotton said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ITF has a long history working with our affiliated unions in the Philippines to promote the importance and professionalism of Filipino seafarers in global shipping. Extending on collaboration during the pandemic, and our ongoing partnership in all aspects of the maritime environment, the new advisory committee will be essential to ensure that Filipino seafarers maintain the highest standards working on ships across the globe in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome the steps taken by the Marcos Government to put Filipino seafarers in the box seat to be at the forefront of addressing our industry’s challenges and promoting a sustainable future for maritime professionals. We call on other governments to follow the Philippines proactive leadership that is putting the future of seafarers at the heart of discussions and decisions on the future of shipping.”<\/p>\n
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