PH inclusion in IMO 'white list' a global validation of Filipino seafarers — DMW

The inclusion of the Philippines in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) “white list” is a global validation of the abilities of Filipino seafarers, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday.

According to the agency, the white list signifies compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention. It said that the STCW is an international agreement promoting safety at sea and environmental protection.

"Inclusion on the IMO White List is a testament to our ongoing efforts in refining and elevating the skills of our maritime workforce. It is a global validation of our Filipino seafarers' exceptional abilities,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a statement.

The DMW said that Filipino seafarers are considered to be the “world’s preferred crew” and constitute an estimated 30% of the global maritime workforce.

“In 2023, the Philippines deployed 570,959 seafarers, reflecting a 16% increase, particularly in passenger vessels, from the previous year,” the DMW said.

Meanwhile, remittances of Filipino seafarers reached an all-time high last year with $6.85 billion or P389 billion sent to the country, an increase from the $166 million or 9.2 billion remittances in 2022.  

The country’s inclusion was earlier announced by the Department of Transportation last week. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News