• 2025.10.22 (Wed)
  • All articles
  • LOGIN
  • JOIN
Global Economic Times
APEC2025KOREA가이드북
  • Synthesis
  • World
  • Business
  • Industry
  • ICT
  • Distribution Economy
  • Korean Wave News
  • Opinion
  • Arts&Culture
  • Sports
  • People & Life
  • Lee Yeon-sil Column
  • Ko Yong-chul Column
  • Photo News
  • New Book Guide
  • Cherry Garden Story
MENU
 
Home > Synthesis

Philippine Maritime Authorities Discuss Revision of Minimum Crew Standards for Domestic Vessels

Global Economic Times Reporter / Updated : 2025-07-10 05:17:08
  • -
  • +
  • Print

The Philippines' Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coastal Shipping Association (PCSA) are moving to revise the minimum safe manning standards for domestically operating vessels. According to an announcement on Wednesday, July 9 (local time), this consultation aims to enhance maritime safety and address current issues in the shipping industry.

Minimum safe manning standards are essential for ensuring vessel operational safety and preventing maritime accidents. These standards prescribe the minimum number of crew members required, considering the type, size, navigation area, and operational characteristics of the vessel. This also encompasses the qualifications, training, and duties of each crew member.

For some time, concerns have been raised that the minimum crew standards for domestic vessels have not sufficiently reflected the rapidly changing maritime environment and technological advancements. Modern vessels have seen significant changes in their operation due to the introduction of automation systems and advancements in communication technology, thereby altering the roles and required competencies of crew members. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges related to crew supply and deployment, which directly impacted safe operations. A consensus has formed that it is urgent to re-examine existing regulations and establish new standards that align with current realities in response to these changes.

MARINA, through two days of consultation with PCSA, deeply discussed the proposed amendments to the minimum safe manning rules for vessels operating in Philippine domestic waters. The key objectives of this meeting were to: ▲ adjust manning standards to current maritime practices, ▲ improve vessel safety, and ▲ address industry concerns related to training, deployment, and operational capabilities.

Ronaldo Bandalaria, MARINA's Chief of Staff, emphasized MARINA's collaborative and participatory approach to the proposed revisions, promising to discuss and review all concerns raised by PCSA. This demonstrates a commitment to listening to the industry's voice and collaboratively seeking optimal solutions, rather than unilaterally formulating regulations.

In response, Cesar Licudine, Interim Administrator of PCSA, expressed gratitude for MARINA's initiative and highlighted PCSA's shared goal of establishing safe and practical crew requirements tailored for domestic operations. This mutually cooperative stance from both parties suggests that the revision process will proceed smoothly.

This discussion saw active participation not only from MARINA and PCSA executives but also from representatives of major shipping companies, who contributed to the review of the draft. Various stakeholders came together to ensure that on-the-ground perspectives were sufficiently reflected.

The revision of the minimum safe manning standards is expected to bring several positive effects:

Enhanced Vessel Safety: By establishing crew deployment standards appropriate for modern operating environments, the risk of vessel accidents can be reduced, and maritime safety can be further solidified. This plays a crucial role in protecting the lives of crew and passengers and preventing marine environmental pollution.
Increased Operational Efficiency: Optimizing crew configurations to ensure safety while reducing unnecessary manpower waste can increase the operational efficiency of shipping companies.
Strengthened Industry Competitiveness: Harmonizing with international maritime safety standards can enhance the credibility of the Philippine domestic shipping industry and strengthen its competitiveness.
Improved Crew Competency: New standards may require more specialized training and qualification acquisition for crew members, which will lead to an overall improvement in the competency of Philippine maritime personnel.
However, challenges remain in this revision process. Sufficient grace periods and support measures must be put in place to ensure that the new standards can be smoothly applied on the ground. Additionally, the development and expansion of necessary crew education and training programs according to the revised regulations are essential. The government, shipping industry, and educational institutions must collaborate closely to address these challenges.

This revision discussion is an important step for the Philippine shipping industry as it moves towards the future. All eyes are on what fruits MARINA and PCSA's efforts to create a safe and efficient maritime environment in line with changing times will bear.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]

  • #globaleconomictimes
  • #micorea
  • #mykorea
  • #Lifeplaza
  • #nammidonganews
  • #singaporenewsk
  • #Taiwanpost
  • #Samsung
  • #Doosa
Global Economic Times Reporter
Global Economic Times Reporter
Reporter Page

Popular articles

  • The U-Turn in Divorce: South Korea Sees a Surge in 'Twilight Divorces' Amid Overall Decline

  • Seongbuk-gu’s Latin American Festival Concludes with Great Success

  • Still 'Human' in the Loop: Yale Study Downplays AI Job Shock

I like it
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Kakaotalk
  • LINE
  • BAND
  • NAVER
  • https://globaleconomictimes.kr/article/1065557784203978 Copy URL copied.
Comments >

Comments 0

Weekly Hot Issue

  • Japan Elects Ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as First Female Prime Minister: The 'Female Abe' Ascends
  • Trump Pressured Zelensky to 'Accept Russia's Demands or Be Destroyed,' Report from FT Reveals
  • Kering Sells Beauty Division to L'Oréal for €4 Billion Amid Gucci Slump 
  • NATO Deputy Secretary General Pledges to Strengthen Substantive Cooperation with South Korea, Including Defense Industry
  • Uruguay Becomes First Latin American Country to Legalize Euthanasia by Law
  • Peru Declares State of Emergency Amid Political Unrest Fueled by 'Gen Z' Protests

Most Viewed

1
The Imminent Reality: Donald Trump's Unlikelihood for the Nobel Peace Prize as a Destroyer of International Order
2
Renewable Energy Covers 100% of Global Electricity Demand Growth in H1 2025, Marking a Turning Point in the Fossil Fuel Era
3
McDonald's 'Subtle Racism' Controversy: Korean American Denied Order After 70-Minute Wait
4
A Chemical Revolution, the Era of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Begins: 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
5
Early Winter Chill Grips South Korea as Seoraksan Sees First Snow
광고문의
임시1
임시3
임시2

Hot Issue

EU States Agree to Complete Phase-Out of Russian Gas by End of 2027

US Ships to be Built in South Korea: Washington Considers Easing Protective Maritime Laws for Alliance Shipbuilding Cooperation

South Korea to Drastically Increase Domestic LNG Shipping Rate to 70%

Japan Elects Ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as First Female Prime Minister: The 'Female Abe' Ascends

Let’s recycle the old blankets in Jeju Island’s closet instead of incinerating them.

Global Economic Times
korocamia@naver.com
CEO : LEE YEON-SIL
Publisher : KO YONG-CHUL
Registration number : Seoul, A55681
Registration Date : 2024-10-24
Youth Protection Manager: KO YONG-CHUL
Singapore Headquarters
5A Woodlands Road #11-34 The Tennery. S'677728
Korean Branch
Phone : +82(0)10 4724 5264
#304, 6 Nonhyeon-ro 111-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Copyright © Global Economic Times All Rights Reserved
  • 에이펙2025
  • APEC2025가이드북TV
  • 세종시
Search
Category
  • All articles
  • Synthesis
  • World
  • Business
  • Industry
  • ICT
  • Distribution Economy
  • Korean Wave News
  • Opinion
  • Arts&Culture
  • Sports
  • People & Life
  • Lee Yeon-sil Column
  • Ko Yong-chul Column
  • Photo News
  • New Book Guide
  • Cherry Garden Story
  • Multicultural News
  • Jobs & Workers
  • APEC 2025 KOREA GUIDE