DMW: Phi included in IMO Whitelist

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sees the continued hiring of Filipino seafarers with the inclusion of the Philippines in the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Whitelist.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

The country's inclusion in the IMO Whitelist "is a global validation of the Filipino seafarers' exceptional abilities," DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said.

The IMO Whitelist signifies Filipino seafarers' adherence to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping convention, an international agreement promoting safety at sea and environmental protection through standardized training for merchant marines worldwide, Cacdac noted.

"This milestone paves the way for secure employment and continued employability for Filipino seafarers," he added.

Filipino seafarers comprise about 30 percent of the global maritime workforce.

In 2023, the Philippines deployed 570,959 seafarers, a 16 percent increase, particularly in passenger vessels, from the previous year.