Cebu-based shipping operator Aznar Shipping Corporation (“Aznar Shipping” or the “Company”) is supporting cadetship programs for the upcoming academic year by providing onboard training opportunities to more than 200 aspiring seafarers, helping address the maritime crew shortage in Central Visayas.
Based on industry estimates, Central Visayas has around 525 active shipping vessels requiring approximately 2,625 officer-level personnel, composed of 1,575 deck officers and 1,050 engine officers. The region, however, faces an estimated shortage of 1,446 officers, equivalent to a 55% gap from the required crew complement. This includes a shortage of 938 deck officers and 508 engine officers.
To help address this gap, Aznar Shipping has partnered with maritime training and educational institutions, including Palompon Institute of Technology, University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, Philippine Maritime Institute in Bohol, and Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro, to support cadetship and apprenticeship programs through actual onboard training.
“The future of Philippine shipping depends not only on modern vessels and stronger routes, but also on the young seafarers who will operate and sustain the industry. We want to make sure that financial limitations do not prevent hardworking and deserving cadets from getting the onboard experience they need. If they have the discipline, grit, and perseverance to pursue this profession, we want to help open that door for them,” Kyle Alexander Aznar, President and CEO, said.
Aznar Shipping is among the few domestic shipping companies that do not charge apprenticeship fees, removing a major financial barrier for students who need vessel exposure to complete their training and pursue careers in the maritime industry.
Through the program, cadets are given practical exposure to Aznar Shipping’s inter-island operations across the Visayas. The Company operates across six ports and serves major routes that support trade, mobility, and regional connectivity, including Danao City, Cebu to Isabel, Leyte; Tabuelan, Cebu to Escalante City, Negros Occidental; and Bogo, Cebu to Palompon, Leyte.
In 2025, according to the Philippine Ports Authority, the Visayas accounted for 48.56% of total maritime passenger traffic and 50% of total ship calls in the Philippines, underscoring the region’s critical role in domestic shipping and the need to sustain a skilled maritime workforce.
“Inter-island shipping is essential to the Visayas economy because it moves people, vehicles, and goods across island communities. As demand for reliable shipping grows, the industry must also ensure that there is a strong pipeline of trained maritime professionals who can support safe, efficient, and responsible operations,” Aznar added.
The initiative forms part of Aznar Shipping’s broader commitment to maritime workforce development and responsible business practices. By supporting cadetship programs, the Company aims to contribute to the long-term growth of the domestic shipping industry while helping young Filipinos build meaningful careers at sea.
