Filipino seafarers have become a staple of the global maritime industry, comprising nearly a third worldwide. They play a massive role in the local economy, sending home billions of dollars every year. Despite the pandemic, they continue to dominate the maritime industry. Global shipowners still prefer them over Indonesian seamen with comparably lower wage rates.
Filipinos have a long history of seafaring. In pre-colonial times, native Filipinos sail across the archipelago’s vast waters on board native boats. Such well-contribute to why they remain the most-sought after seafarers. Here are other reasons Filipinos are in-demands to man ships.
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Characteristics of Filipino Seafarers
Work ethics
Aside from being seafarers by nature, Filipino seafarers have strong work ethics. Hard work runs in their veins as they usually do more physical work than other nationalities for the profession. Filipinos may need to be more technologically advanced, but their dedication and fast adaptability make up for it.
They also maintain good conduct on board, making them excellent team players. Filipinos get along well with crewmates of different nationalities. Ultimately, they respect the law, following rules for as long as possible.
Resilience
During the pandemic, many workers worked beyond their contracts. They endured years long on board, being content with virtual communication with their families back home in exchange for a comfortable life in the middle of the pandemic.
On board, Filipinos aren’t exempt from discrimination. Their tolerance and patience helped them rise through it and become bigger individuals. With their positive attitude and cheerful demeanor, they turn them into friends and make life on board bearable for everyone.
Many ship captions also credit Filipinos for their problem-solving abilities. Plus, they work longer hours and take on more responsibility without complaining. Sailing through erratic sea conditions and the stress of being unable to see any land for weeks or months can easily take a toll on a seafarer’s mind. However, Filipinos are conditioned to face these challenges on board. Their resiliency made them top-tier seafarers in the world.
Fluent in English
Not every Filipino seafarer speaks perfect English. However, they can understand English well and even explain themself better than other nationalities. Their excellent communication skills allowed them to make friends, follow orders well, complete tasks, and take on responsibilities.
Challenges that Filipino Seafarers face
The pandemic forced many Filipinos to sail beyond their contract. They had to be way longer from their families and endure homesickness. Without their resiliency, these would’ve affected their emotional and mental well-being.
Meanwhile, the contrast happened to seafarers in the Philippines when the government implemented the lockdown. Many seafarers faced financial constraints as they patiently waited for borders to open up and board again.
Filipino seafarers also face the risk of kidnapping and piracy on board. Ships that pass off the coast of Somalia are at risk of being hijacked by armed pirates. And with Filipinos being in demand and of high value to the industry, they’re often the targets of pirates. Other than piracy, Filipino seafarers risk extreme weather conditions, hazardous cargo, and dangerous equipment.
In the bigger picture, the Philippines needs more qualified seafarers. They’re under pressure to supply skilled crews since they’re in demand globally. With qualifying seafarers needing more skills, they’re risking accidents on board. Maritime education and training centers in the Philippines have raised their standards to address this issue.
Meanwhile, the local maritime industry struggles to compete with its foreign competition. Aside from unprogressive ports and needing to catch up with technology and infrastructure, high fuel prices also threaten them. These factors make it difficult for the industry to establish a strong reputation and compete effectively.
Why Filipino Seafarers are globally in-demand
Despite their challenges, Filipinos are irreplaceable and remain in demand in the global maritime industry. They are highly valued for their skills, work ethics, positive and lawly attitude, and resiliency. Hence, despite receiving a higher salary than their fellow Southeast Asian counterparts, they remain the top choice of most global shipping companies.
The Philippines also put a value on their seafarers by constantly upping the value of their maritime education and training. They continually produce competent and well-rounded seafarers who handle various tasks effectively on board ships.
Also, being among the countries most proficient in English played a role in Filipinos being in-demand seafarers. This skill allowed them to adapt quickly to a different environment, make friends and become team players, communicate effectively and execute tasks accurately, and be better overall than most seafarers. Teamwork is essential on the ship because this ensures smooth sailing. They also become valuable assets on board because they communicate effectively with post authorities in different countries.
Finally, Filipinos have a unique sense of cultural adaptability. Regardless of nationality or rank, they respect and work well with everyone. They have one goal in mind, which is to achieve safe and efficient sailing.
