The election of the Philippines as Chair of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention of the International Maritime Organization will boost the country’s nine proposals on seafarers welfare.
Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo, Philippine Maritime Attaché to the IMO, has been elected Chair of the HTW Sub-Committee, prevailing over the United States’ candidate, Captain Cathleen Burns Mauro on February 27, 2027 during the 12th Session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 12) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization in London, United Kingdom.
At present, the Philippines through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is actively advancing nine proposals on seafarer training standards, green shipping safety, and fatigue regulations labelled under HTW 12 Papers.
The sub-committee HTW is a critical component of the STCW Convention, which is undergoing comprehensive review by the IMO.
Co-sponsors to the 9 proposals include Bangladesh, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Philippines, Nautical Institute, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and Thailand.
The first proposal is on violence and harassment, including sexual assault, and bullying.
The Philippines is also pushing for the use of simulator training to meet a portion of seagoing service requirements.
At the management level, the Philippines and its co-sponsors are seeking to combine bridge resource management and teamworking skills. They also want to address current and emerging seagoing technologies and best practices at the engine management level.
Also proposed is to clarify the phrases “while qualify to serve as” and “to be duly certificated” and to align seagoing service durations.
The proposals also seek to consider digitalization and emerging technologies and to standardize language used under the methods of demonstrating competencies.
Lastly, the Philippines and co-sponsors proposed a seafarers’ training and framework for alternative fuels and new technologies.
With more than 200 papers being deliberated at HTW 12, outcomes will be elevated to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for further consideration.
The review focuses on modernizing training, digitalization, automation, and green shipping. Initiated in 2024, the review identified over 400 gaps and aims to adopt amendments by 2027 to ensure the framework remains fit for purpose.
