DOMESTIC shipping operators and maritime stakeholders in the Visayas are urging the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to reform its manning policies, which they claim threaten to cripple domestic shipping operations amid a worsening crew shortage.
In an open forum held at Bai Hotel Cebu in Mandaue City on Thursday, June 5, 2025, representatives from the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA) and other maritime groups, during their general membership meeting, voiced frustration over policies they say prioritize international standards over domestic realities.
PCSA chairman Lucio Lim Jr. also called for a stronger distinction between domestic and overseas maritime regulatory frameworks, urging National Government agencies to streamline compliance processes.
Villamor Ventura Plan, Department of Transportation assistant secretary for maritime, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to overhauling maritime regulations affecting the domestic shipping industry. He acknowledged longstanding concerns from operators about the inappropriate application of international seafaring standards to local vessels.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon was scheduled to attend the general meeting but was unable to due to a sudden invitation from the Senate, prompting Plan to speak on his behalf.
Speaking during the general assembly, Plan highlighted the government’s intent to pursue tailored rules for the domestic sector, citing the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers as a foundational law empowering Marina to craft distinct frameworks for local shipping.
Plan added that he will meet with Marina officials in the upcoming weeks to discuss the PCSA’s sentiments.
PCSA is the country’s largest shipping association, comprised of Filipino ship owners who operate more than 700 ships, serving thousands of passengers and transporting cargo nationwide.
Severe crew crisis
Lim and PCSA members revealed that some of their operations have been temporarily halted due to a scarcity of qualified crew. They cited the impact of current Marina regulations that require seafarers — even for domestic routes — to comply with global Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) protocols.
The situation has worsened as more qualified Filipino seafarers opt to board international vessels.
Ship owners shared that some of their vessels have been forced to delay or cancel trips due to the lack of licensed deck officers, prompting extreme measures such as flying in captains from other ports just to meet regulatory minimums.
Lim explained that the current requirements are inappropriate for ships below 250 gross tonnage navigating short-distance or inter-island routes. These vessels fall under what should be considered “near-coastal” operations and merit localized rules.
Industry leaders urged Marina to create a separate set of qualifications and career progression pathways for domestic seafarers, arguing that STCW is designed for international ocean-going vessels, not for Philippine inter-island operations.
“Why are we forcing small local ships to follow international standards meant for large, ocean-going vessels?” Lim said.
He added that the industry has a pool of local seafarers with decades of experience, yet they are being pushed out due to a lack of formal qualifications, including educational attainment.
The current rules require aspiring captains — even on ships below 2,500 gross tonnage — to have a four-year maritime degree, disqualifying experienced patrons (local ship captains) who rose through the ranks via alternative certification or vocational training.
The current manning rules were described as too stringent and impractical, negatively affecting local expertise.
Lim and PCSA members expressed that experience in handling ship operations, from docking in port to voyages in open waters, is crucial for the local shipping industry.
Lim criticized the lack of genuine industry participation in the policymaking process, stating that Marina had promised to include domestic shipping voices in the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers — but failed to do so.
Other countries such as China, Japan and the United States have separate licensing systems for domestic shipping, suggesting the Philippines could adopt a similar model. / EHP