Thursday, January 11, 2007 250 jobs open to Pinoy seamen
RECOGNIZING the competence of Filipino seafarers, an international shipping company plan to employ about 250 Filipinos in the next four years, to serve as crew of its 25 new shipping vessels.
Amsterdam-based Spliethoff group of companies will introduce seven new cargo vessels this year and is keen on deploying 70 seafarers, particularly from the Visayas.
“There is a strong demand for able-bodied Filipino crew in various shipping companies worldwide because of their ability to adopt easily to different culture. They are a happy people,” said Spliethoff master mariner H.G. Willemsen.
The Filipinos “strong command” of the English language is also an obvious reason, he told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview at the Casino Español de Cebu last Tuesday.
He said the company offers an initial basic monthly pay of $700 to $1,200 as well as bonuses.
Spliethoff, established in 1921, is one of the world’s major shipping operators with over 55 multi-purpose vessels.
The shipping company has tapped Manpower Resources of Asia Inc. (MRA) Cebu to find new recruits.
“We are proud to supply Filipino crew to the best shipping companies in the world,” said Edwin Salazar, MRA Cebu branch manager. (MMM)
