The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said the Philippines can help modernize global seafarer training standards as the shipping sector moves toward decarbonization and new regulatory frameworks.

Speaking at the Regional Forum on the Effective Implementation of the STCW Convention and Code on Tuesday in Manila, IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said the organization treats the Philippines as a key partner in shaping the future of global maritime regulations because of the country’s strong maritime training ecosystem and its leadership as the world’s largest supplier of seafarers.

“Through initiatives like the Smart Sea Projects, which tackle decarbonization, plastic litter from ships, and transboundary fouling, as well as our new mandatory biofouling code, we continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines. By identifying areas where support is needed, the country helps us plan for the future and ensures that our limited resources are used effectively to assist all member states,” he said.

Dominguez said the Philippines, with its numerous maritime education and training institutions, can “take the next steps” by helping provide technical expertise that feeds into global policymaking.

Training programs and best practices developed at the national level can eventually be elevated to the IMO, where they are translated into international rules, according to the IMO chief.

He said that shipping must invest in people — ensuring that those onboard are treated with the same dignity and provided with the same facilities afforded to land-based workers, including access to internet connectivity and adequate living conditions.

Dominguez announced at the forum that Phase 2 of the comprehensive review of the amended STCW Convention will begin in the coming weeks, focusing on specific amendments to ensure the regulation remains relevant in an era defined by cleaner fuels, artificial intelligence, and expanding digital systems onboard ships.

Meanwhile, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Sonia Malaluan, highlighted the responsibility of maritime nations to ensure their workforce remains competent, adaptable and future-ready.

“Together, we must confront the evolving challenges and opportunities within this dynamic sector,” Malaluan said at the forum, pointing to competency developments, environmental pressures and geopolitical shifts reshaping global shipping.

Further, the Marina head emphasized that reform, although challenging, presents an opportunity to raise standards and reinforce global confidence in Filipino seafarers through strengthened maritime education and training.

Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. called for a serious and forward-looking review of global standards — one that directly addresses automation, digitalization, violence and harassment at sea, and the safe handling of alternative fuels.

“If ships are to shift to cleaner energy, then training must shift with it,” Locsin said, underscoring the need to equip seafarers with the skills to safely use, handle, and store emerging fuel technologies.

He further stressed that respect must be the norm at sea, with zero tolerance for harassment and accountability for misconduct, adding that dignity and protection must extend equally to all genders.

Delivering the message of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Assistant Secretary Villamor Plan reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and inclusive working environments for seafarers.

“We must ensure that every seafarer, women and men alike, can work in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful,” he said. “When we protect our people, we strengthen our entire maritime industry.”

As the shipping sector undergoes one of its most significant transitions in decades — driven by climate commitments and rapid technological advancement — speakers at the forum were united in their message: global standards must evolve at the same pace as innovation, and seafarers must remain at the center of the industry’s transformation.