The Philippines, through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Australian Government have officially elevated their bilateral maritime partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the mutual recognition of seafarer certificates.
The ceremony, held at the MARINA Building in Manila, featured the signing by MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown.
The MOU updates an existing 2002 arrangement to align with the current requirements of Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended.
Key enhancements of the agreement include:
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Clarified Roles: Formally identifying MARINA as both the certificate-issuing and recognizing Administration.
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Enhanced Communication: Strengthening the mechanisms for data sharing and verification between the two nations.
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Operational Efficiency: Providing a clear framework for port State control authorities to verify the validity of STCW certificates.
“For the Philippines, this Memorandum reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a robust and internationally compliant system of training, assessment, and certification for Filipino seafarers, consistent with global maritime expectations.” — Sonia B. Malaluan, MARINA Administrator
Ambassador Innes-Brown echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the trust between the two nations: “Australia values its long-standing maritime cooperation with the Philippines, and this agreement reflects our mutual trust in each other’s training and certification systems under the STCW Convention.”
Beyond certification, the event underscored a shared vision for maritime ethics. Australia notably endorsed the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being, reinforcing a joint commitment to protecting the rights and safety of the maritime workforce.
This MOU is expected to secure and facilitate continued employment opportunities for Filipino seafarers on Australian-flagged vessels, ensuring they remain a preferred choice for the international shipping industry.
