The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued an urgent advisory to Filipino seafarers and their families regarding the rise of the “shadow fleet”—unregulated sea vessels that pose significant safety and legal risks to crew members.
The DMW identifies these vessels as ships that typically lack:
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Proper Registration: Operating outside the bounds of international maritime regulatory frameworks.
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Transparent Ownership: Often utilizing shell companies to obscure accountability.
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Insurance and Legal Protection: Leaving crew members without a safety net in cases of injury, abandonment, or maritime accidents.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac emphasized that bypassing official channels is a gamble with one’s life and livelihood. “Do not engage in arrangements that do not go through the DMW,” Secretary Cacdac stated. “Going through the proper DMW process is essential to ensure the protection and security of every Filipino seafarer.”
The Department is currently investigating reports of Filipino seafarers already deployed on ships suspected of being part of shadow fleet operations. This process includes:
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Cross-checking databases to identify unauthorized deployments.
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Verifying documents of suspicious recruitment agencies.
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Collaborating with international maritime bodies to track non-compliant vessels.
The DMW remains steadfast in its commitment to the safe and ethical recruitment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The public is urged to stay vigilant and immediately report any suspicious job offers or deployments that circumvent the Department’s official processes.
