The Filipino seafarer factory revisited

It’s time to take a second look at the Filipino seafarer factory following last week´s European Commission decision not to withdraw – for the time being – EU recognition of Philippine crew certificates. We touched some raw nerves when we first coined the term and wrote about the seafarer factory in May 2011. But now and then it’s necessary to call a spade a spade. How else would things change? Here now is a list of what we see as the strong and weak points of the world´s largest seafarer-producing facility: (more…)

No room for compromise on safety

Have no doubts about it. Safety is a big thing for the EU. The other day, the European Commission (EC) issued its 19th update of the list of airlines from some two dozen countries which are banned from flying to the EU for safety reasons. Included in the roster are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and several other Filipino air carriers. Will the EC be more forgiving of the Philippines’ maritime education & training (MET) establishment? (more…)

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