Europe Could Ban Filipino Crews From Cargo Ships, Rocking an Already Messed-Up Industry

Jalopnik via Yahoo ^ | 12/28/2022 | Ryan Erik King

[DFG]

The European Commission is considering banning ships registered in European Union countries from using crews of sailors from the Philippines. The prohibition could drastically impact global shipping: Currently, one in four crew members on merchant vessels around the world hails from the Philippines. And the European Union is second only to Panama in gross merchant tonnage. If this ban goes through, it’s poised to rock an industry that’s been struggling for years.

Deutsche Welle reports the ban is being considered after an audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency. European regulators found that maritime education institutions in the Philippines didn’t meet standards set by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. If the European Commission decides to take action, the European Union will no longer recognize competency certifications issued in the Philippines. Current certificates would be recognized until they expire, which could be at most five years from now.

[Boogieman]

Guess they’ll have to go back to piracy.

[OldGoatCPO]

The irony is that many of the Filipino merchant marines have bachelor degrees in Maritime Engineering. Not all of course, but every male member of my wife’s family until the current generation were sailors. They all had Bachelor degrees from outstanding universities on par with those in the EU. They all had to complete additional certifications to get on a ship. Many did the most menial jobs because despite their education they were Filipino. All of my brother-in-laws worked their way up to First and Second Mate positions. Now they will not be able to serve on a EU flagged ship. Go figure.