No blacklist from EU vessels amid October audit, VP Binay says




Tags: Jejomar Binay
Filipino seafarers will not be blacklisted from European-flagged vessels amid an audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) this October, although they are advised not to be complacent and instead continue honing their skills.

"I have been assured by the businessmen in a meeting that the Philippines would not be blacklisted from European-flagged vessels," said Vice President Jejomar Binay, the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) concerns, on Sunday.

"This was again reaffirmed to me last July by the Vice President for External Affairs of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Henry Schumacher," Binay added at the National Seafarers' Day in Manila.

On the other hand, Binay said Filipino seafarers should not be complacent and should instead further improve their skills. "These assurances are heartwarming, but should not be reason for us to relax our drives or aims," he said.  

Philippines is one of the biggest producers and suppliers of seafarers, alongside China, India, and several European countries.

Excerpts of Binay's speech were posted Sunday evening on his Facebook page.

According to the EMSA audit last April, the Philippines failed to meet EU standards on maritime education, training and competency certificates, specifically the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW).
 
The STCW Convention sets qualification standards for officers and personnel on merchant ships.

In his speech Sunday, Binay said he met with traders in Germany last June and assured them the Philippine government is taking steps to improve its maritime industry.  

He also said he reminded them of the ill effects on the maritime industry if Filipino seafarers are to be blacklisted from EU vessels.

Meanwhile, Binay said that while it is important to pass the EMSA audit, this is just the "first of many goals."

"EMSA is but a port of call as we complete our voyage of reasserting the Philippines as a maritime powerhouse, the first choice when it comes to seamen and marine professionals," he added.

The country on Sunday feted Filipino seafarers in activities culminating National Maritime Week. -- KBK, GMA News

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