European Commission considering ban ships registered in the countries of the European Union employing crews of sailor from Philippines. Bans could have a dramatic impact on global shipping: Currently, ohfour crew members on merchant ships around the world from the Philippines. And The European Union ranks second only to Panama with a total merchant tonnage. If this ban passes, it’s ready to rock an industry that’s been struggling for years.
Deutsche Welle report The ban is being reviewed following an audit by the European Maritime Safety Authority. The European Regulatory Authority found that maritime education institutions in Philippines does not meet the standards set by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. If the European Commission decides to act, European Union will no longer recognize certificates of competence issued in the Philippines. The current certificate will recognized until they expire, possibly five years from now at most.
The Philippine government blamed non-compliance. Edwin Dela Cruz, from Filipino migrant rights group Migrante International, told Deutsche Welle:
“The government has depended on private educational institutions to provide maritime education, but has not provided them with enough subsidies to upgrade their facilities to match international standards. The government makes a lot of money from seafarers. They need to at least give them updated training, not temporary measures.”
According to the Central Bank of the Philippines, seafarers have sent more than $6 billion home to the Philippines as they work on ships registered in countries around the world.. It’s in the Philippine government best interests to keep its private organizations compliant. Now, hundreds of thousands of sailors could lose their jobs and the global shipping industry could lose a big part the workforce keeps it running.
