Logistics News PH today, June 24, joins the International Seafarer’s Day celebration, which recognizes all seafarers, especially Filipino seamen, for their contribution to the Philippine economy and for uplifting the lives of their loved ones.
As part of the celebration, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is expected to announce the winners of its 2025 Gawad Natatanging Mandaragat and SeafarHER Award. The Philippine Ports Authority also recognizes the important role that seafarers play in the area of trade and the country’s economic progress.
Filipino seafarers
The Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five crew members on board an international vessel at any time. The plan recorded a total of 3.6 million deployment for sea-based overseas Filipino workers was recorded for the period 2011 to 2020. Other estimates placed the current registered Filipino seamen at 500,000.
For the period 2011-2020, the Plan showed that Filipino seafarers contributed a cumulative total of USD65 billion in the form of remittances, per record of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. In 2022 alone, it was reported to amount to USD6.7 Billion which is slightly higher to 2020 and 2021 remittances at the height of Covid-19 pandemic.
Global workforce
On a bigger scale, the Philippine Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028 stated that seafarers, who are dubbed as “essential workers”, are responsible for moving trade globally.
It cited the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Workforce Report 2021, which stated there are 1.89 million seafarers serving the world merchant fleet operating over 75,000 vessels.
Of this number, 857,540 are officers while 1,035,180 are ratings. The Philippines, the Russian Federation, Indonesia, China and India are the largest suppliers of ratings and officers working on merchant ships.
As the global economy is set for a rebound, so will the demand for seafarers increase especially for officers which is projected to be more than 89,000 by 2026. The fast economic recovery of the world is possible because seafarers continue to man ships.
