PH included in IMO’s ‘whitelist’ as big producer of seafarers

Seafarers in Taguig City shown in this file photo taken on July 6, 2021. (INQUIRER  / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines has been included in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Whitelist.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Maritime Industry Authority of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) claims this information shows the country’s status as a major producer of world-class seafarers.

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According to the DOTr, the country was recognized for its “commitment to maintaining high standards in maritime education, training and certification for Filipino seafarers.”

It added the inclusion in the IMO Whitelist indicates that trained and certified Filipino seafarers meet the rigorous international standards set by the IMO Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) Convention.

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IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the “global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.”