How Philippines Facilitates Safe Crew Change

With the opening of new crew change hubs, the Philippine government is actively taking steps to protect the health of seafarers as well as the economy. By Liz Lagniton, Philippine correspondent, Maritime Fairtrade

When the crew change crisis in the maritime industry stranded thousands of seafarers in various ports from March to June last year, the Philippine government announced its plan to develop several ports that would serve as crew change hubs, a move welcomed by ship owners and managers who had crews locked down in different parts of the world.

However, seven months and six Philippine crew change hubs later, critics — mostly from parties affected by the move — have criticized the plan as “overly optimistic” and an unlikely pipe dream.

But retired Navy admiral Robert Empedrad, now administrator of the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) after 36 years in military service, says the Philippines is serious with its plan and has all the reasons to make it a success.

“There are always birth pangs for each new thing,” Empedrad told Maritime Fairtrade in an interview. “It may even be called chaotic in the beginning, especially during a pandemic, but eventually, we can perfect our crew change in the long run.”