The overseas deployment of Filipino seafarers plummeted by 54% from 469,996 in 2019 to 217,223 in 2020, according to official government figures. This is the biggest drop ever for a single year. Hardest hit were hotel personnel for passenger ships (classified as ‘non-maritime’ but officially considered as seafarers). Their numbers declined by 64%. Deployment of ratings was down 44% with officers doing much better (only 0.48% lower). Is the bell tolling for Philippine manning?
Hopefully not. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic was the main trigger for the numbers decline. It would be naive, however, to think that other factors were not at play. Total seafarer deployment had dipped by 3% in 2019 — before the coronavirus went on a worldwide rampage. Interestingly, deployment of ratings was up 9% that year but was down by 32% for officers. What gives?
Two points may be worth considering. First, Filipino ship officers are becoming more expensive. The local manning agent of a large Asian boxship operator tells Marine Café Blog that the monthly pay for a Filipino master is currently averaging US$11,00-13,000. Chief engineers are paid a little less: US$9,000-11,000.
Second, some shipowners have been put off by what they see as the pro-seafarer stance of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). Not too long ago, a German ship operator dumped its long-time crewing agency in Manila. The reason: one of the latter’s engineer-officers was awarded a sizeable sum for losing a finger in a shipboard accident.
The worst of times for Philippine seafarers and manning agents? Maybe so, but it could also be the best time for some deep soul-searching in Manila.
A blow-by-blow account of Filipino seafarer deployment and other relevant statistics
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