Maritime
Filipino seafarers remain No . 1
W
" ere still the seafarer of choice !” declared Mr . Gerardo Borromeo chief executive officer of the country ’ s leading crew managers , Philippine Transmarine ( PTC ).
Mr . Borromeo emphasized this with confidence even after the release last May of the five-year study on supply and demand of seafarers for the global fleet released by industry group Baltic and International Maritime Council ( BIMCO ) and the International Chamber of Shipping ( ICS ).
In the BIMCO / ICS Manpower Report 2015 , China has overtaken the Philippines as the world ’ s biggest source of seafarers for the global fleet .
“ Based on the estimates of national contributions to the current global supply of seafarers , the five countries with the largest numbers of seafarers in 2015 are China , the Philippines , the Russian Federation , followed by Ukraine and then India ”, the report stated .
For his part , PTC senior Vice President Capt . Ronaldo SJ . Enrile echoed the statement of Borromeo , also the vice chairman of ICS .
Enrile was quick to respond when asked to comment on the BIMCO / ICS report .
“ That is true , and I will not contest ( BIMCO / ICS report 2015 ), just look at ( the number of ) Chinese flagged vessels .” he added .
“ But if look at those manning the international fleet , we ’ re still number 1 ,” Enrile , also the vice chairman of Angkla Partylist stated .
He also observed that the Chinese have shorter seafaring careers adding that ” knowing the Chinese , once they ’ ve learned the English language they will opt to work onshore instead of pursuing a career at sea , that ’ s the trend .”
“ Life the life span of Chinese seafarers ( is shorter ) compared to their Filipino counterpart . There ’ s a big gap ; so I would say ship-owners still prefer the Filipino seafarers because most retire as seafarers ,” he explained .
Duringb the program organized by the International Seafarers ’ Welfare and Assistance Network ( ISWAN ) to mark June 25 Day of the Seafarer , Borromeo paid tribute to Filipino seafarers and the thousand and their families that gathered at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City joining the celebration .
“ But if look at those manning the international fleet , we ’ re still number 1 ,” Enrile , also the vice chairman of Angkla Partylist stated .
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