Keeping the crewing top spot

The Philippine Maritime Industry Cluster has outlined an action plan aimed at maintaining the global competitiveness of the country?s seafarers as well as it shipping and marine businesses.

The Cluster comprises the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association, the Filipino Shipowners Association and the Philippine Seafarers Promotion Council. Its action plan, published in “A Primer for the Maritime Industry Development Action Strategy”, reported that the Philippines? 200,000 seafarers man 20% of the world fleet.

It said: “We must find ways to remain competitive against emerging competition and attract foreign shipowners who have started to look for alternatives in other seafaring countries.”

Between 1996 and 2000, the deployment of Filipino seafarers grew by 14% ? including hotel personnel newly hired on cruise vessels ? so fewer are being deployed in the deck and engine departments. The report also highlighted a survey that found that 50 Filipino manning agencies had lost 6,300 slots to other Asian and eastern European competition in 1999 and 2000 in these two areas.

Therefore, the Philippines needs to consolidate its efforts . “We must urgently reverse the emerging reputation of the Filipino seafarer as a troublemaker who does not honour the terms and conditions of his contract.”

The Cluster blamed this tarnished image partly on “unscrupulous foreign lawyers” who encouraged the seafarers to renege on their contracts and file cases in other jurisdictions. It added that such cases should actually come under the jurisdiction of the Philippine courts.

The Cluster outlined a four-pronged programme that would help the Philippines recapture its reputation and retain its position as a top nation for seafarers. Firstly, the Philippine Seafarers Promotion Council has been set up. Industry stakeholders in the council will work to promote the quality and attractiveness of Filipino seafarers. The Cluster also urges the country?s government to enact a Seafarers Act that will set the rules for sea-based employment. Reducing the cost of doing business in the Philippines, through the launch of e-documentation, would also help attract carriers to hire Filipino seafarers. Finally, the Cluster recommended that the government separated the fund contributions made by seafarers from those of land-based workers.

Meanwhile, Philippine politician Ernesto F Herrera said in a newspaper column that a new cadet training programme was being introduced. The programme aims to send around 20,000 nautical students a year for training overseas. They would be assigned to engine room and deck duties. They will be provided with free board and lodging and a monthly allowance plus insurance.

Singapore simulation

Singapore this year launched its S$12 million ($6.9 million) Integrated Simulation Centre, to meet the shipping industry?s growing demands for well-trained seafarers.

Its simulation systems cover all aspects of a ship?s operations from ship-handling to crisis management. They can be operated independently or inter-linked with one another, making the ISC among the world?s most sophisticated maritime simulation centres.

Its key features include a 360deg field-of-view Full Mission Ship-handling Simulator (FMSS) and a Crisis Management Simulator (CMS). It is also equipped with a 240deg field-of-view Tug/Small/Fast Vessel Simulator, a Vessel Traffic System Simulator, and a Global Maritime Distress Safety System/Search and Rescue Simulator, linked to the Singapore Maritime Academy?s 210deg field-of-view Ship-handling Simulator, Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator and Engine Room Simulator.

The facilities are certified as Class A bridges since they fully meet STEW95 requirements.