The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued a new circular requiring all domestic shipwowners and operators to provide insurance coverage for all seafarers employed in their domestic registered ships.
Memorandum Circular No. DS-2025-01 stated that the insurance cover is for the seafarer’s accidental death, including for burial assistance, and accidental permanent and partial/total dismemberment or disablement. Said insurance cover shall also provide for the seafarers’ entitlement to receive emergency assistance following a maritime accident/incident.
The insurance cover, the circular said, shall be at no cost to the seafarer. A copy of the Master Policy shall at all times be made available for inspection on board the ship.
The circular also prescribed the minimum insurance coverage for each seafarer. For death, the insurance cover is P200,000; burial assistance P10,000; permanent and total disablement P150,000; permanent and partial disablement P100,000; emergency assistance P50,000.
MARINA has also set monetary penalties and suspension or non-issuance of safety certificate until compliance, upon the shipowner for violations depending on the gross tonnage of the ship.
