The Maritime Industry Authority will soon submit corrective actions on the country's deficiencies in the amended 1978 Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention to keep its place in the International Maritime Organization's White List.

The pertinent documents will be submitted to the IMO for review this September, Marina said in a statement on Monday.

"The evolving list of IMO Member States found to have given full and complete effect (of the convention) currently includes the Philippines. Hence, it is crucial to show our continued compliance with the STCW Convention and Code for the employment of our Filipino seafarers onboard ships in international trade," the statement said.

Independent evaluators commissioned by Marina to check the country's compliance with the STCW-95 had found 63 observations and 15 non-conformities with the international regulations governing the hiring of merchant mariners.

The technical experts visited the agency, the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, three maritime schools, two maritime training centers, and two assessment centers from 30 March to 10 April 2022, according to Marina.

As a State Party to the 1978 STCW Convention for seafarers as amended, the Philippines is required to undertake the independent evaluation every five years to be included in the IMO White List.
The White List refers to nations that have displayed and established a plan of full compliance with the STCW-95.

Non-compliance results in the delisting of the country which Marina said will result in a tremendous impact on the continued employment of Filipino seafarers in international merchant vessels and the trading status of Philippine-registered ships plying overseas trade.

Marine waste forum

Meanwhile, Marina's Shipyards Regulations Service and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Philippines have facilitated a virtual pre-forum on marine environment protection, a precursor to the 2nd Marine Environmental Protection Forum.

The Marine Environment Protection Pre-Forum aims to align port authorities with the science of marine plastic litter and its impact; show a consolidated summary of policies and programs of relevant port authorities and government agencies; raise awareness of the policies and programs implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, Cebu Ports Authority and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; and discuss and finalize the nationwide action plan on marine litter.