To Protect Pinoy Seafarers: RP mulls blacklisting carriers with sloppy crew protection program

The Philippine Government is contemplating to blacklist international shipping lines with a history of terrible crew protection.

The Philippines said the move is in line with the thrust of the country to protect its seafarers onboard international-going vessels.

Philippines has already requested the UK Maritime Trade Operations to provide the country with the list of the shipping companies that have been listed violating the best practice guidelines on crew protection.

Philippine maritime officials explained that they requested for such list in order to allow them to guide their seafarers accordingly.

However, reports said, the agency is adamant to approve the request of the Philippines in order not to upset the shipping lines with such records.

Officials would not be drawn on whether this would effectively mean that crew labor would be withdrawn from vessels that appear on the list, however the Philippines alternate permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization confirmed that the government would “continue to explore all measures that could be adopted to prevent piracy incidents off the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin”.

According to European Union Naval Forces, the number of shipping companies registering their Gulf of Aden transits in line with industry guidelines has increased over recent months, however they estimate that 15%-20% of vessels are still not complying.

While Philippines government representatives have used more moderate language in their promises to “monitor the situation”, privately several senior officials are understood to be increasingly frustrated by the lack of effective action being taken to protect crew and vessels. The government was the first to mandate an anti-piracy training program for all seafarers prior to departing from the Philippines, however these and other measures have not prevented Filipino crew from becoming the most hijacked nationality at sea.

The level of anger within crewing unions over the situation has also given rise to the suggestion that direct crew action could now be on the cards. ?