Demand for Pinoy sailors rises amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

The demand for Filipino seafarers abroad has increased amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, an executive of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said Saturday.

Interviewed at the Laging Handa briefing, Captain Jeffrey Solon, Deputy Executive Director of the Standard of Trainings, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Office of MARINA, said that about 500,000 Filipino seafarers are currently onboard.

"Tumaas ito dahil sa conflict ng Russia at saka Ukraine. 'Yung demand ng mga Pilipino, lalo na roon sa area ng Ukraine, ay tumataas," he said.

(The demand rose due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Particularly, Filipinos are needed in Ukrainian maritime areas.)

"Kami rito sa MARINA tinutulungan natin 'yung ating manning industry na mapabilis po ang kanilang applications para mabigyang-tugon agad 'yung kailangan sa pagpapalit o pag-replace ng mga Ukrainian at saka Russian seafarers," Solon added.

(We at MARINA are assisting our marine industry to expedite their applications in order to immediately respond to the need for the replacement of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers.)

Interested seafarers are only required to submit their applications through the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online (MISMO) System.

However, Solon warned that seafarers faking their certificates or documents will face possible penalties or suspension.

GMA News Online reached out to Solon to clarify on the safety of seafarers in Ukrainian waters, but has yet to get a reply. —LBG, GMA News