The Impact of the ASEAN Integration on Philippine Maritime Manpower

Who are we? The Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA) is the umbrella organization of domestic shipping and shipping-related associations. Established in 1977, PISA represents a cross-section of the Philippines’ maritime industry. Its membership includes domestic shipowners and shipping support providers.

Our Mission The Philippines will be a key player in the global maritime industry, with a fleet of competitive vessels serving the domestic, regional, international cross trades, with an abundant competent pool of seafarers, compliant with global and national standards for quality, safety, security and environmental protection in support of national development and a strong republic. Our Vision “To be the leading voice of the shipping industry in promoting the growth of Philippine shipping locally and globally through effective representation with government, based on unified and harmonious cooperation among its members towards setting and maintaining world class industry standards.”

Corporate Members Associate Members 2Go Group, Inc., Cargo Marine Corporation, Golden Albatross Shipping Lines, Inc., Gothong Southern Shipping Lines Inc., Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc., Herma Shipping Transport Corporation, Island Integrated Offshore Services, Inc., Lighterage Association of the Philippines, Lorenzo Shipping Corporation, Magsaysay Tankers Group, Meridian Cargo Forwarders, Inc., MIS Maritime Corporation, Moreta Shipping Lines, Inc., NMC Container Lines Inc., Oceanic Container Lines, Inc., Petrolift, Inc., Philharbor Ferries and Port Services, Inc., Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp., Solid Shipping Lines, Starlite Ferries, Inc., Transbulk Carriers Corp., Via Marine Corporation Associate Members Estimated members of the Association is percent Alfa Laval Philippines, Inc., American Bureau of Shipping, Delnet International, Det Norske Veritas As, Inter-Asia Marine Transport, Inc., Interisland Deep Sea Fishing Association, Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc., Philippine Register of Shipping, Pioneer Insurance & Surety Corp., Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc.

ASEAN Integration 2015 ASEAN Integration 2015 is the result of ASEAN member-states seeking economic integration by creating an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by end-2015 for the purpose of establishing a a common market. The ASEAN Economic Community is the goal of regional economic integration by 2015. Its characteristics include: (1) a single market and production base, (2) a highly competitive economic region, (3) a region of fair economic development, and (4) a region fully integrated into the global economy. The areas of co-operation include human resources development; recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement.

ASEAN Integration 2015 Through the free movement of skilled labour, goods, services and investment, ASEAN will rise globally as one market with each member gaining from each other's strengths, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities for development. Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) have been agreed by ASEAN for eight professions: physicians; dentists; nurses; architects; engineers; accountants; surveyors; and tourism professionals, to be free to work in any ASEAN nation after the start of the AEC, 31 December 2015. Applicants must be licensed and recognised professionals in these fields in their home countries. They can move to other ASEAN countries to practice, but they must pass that country's licensing test. In Thailand licensing tests will be in the Thai language. In addition, one cannot be an independent practitioner. Any foreign professional intending to work in, e.g., Thailand must collaborate with a local business. Given these hurdles, it is unlikely that there will be mass migrations of professionals in the near-term.

Basic Facts and Numbers 360,000 Filipino seafarers are all over the world (30 percent, POEA 2013) 86,636 Filipino Officers Overseas in 2013 (24 percent, POEA 2013) 100 Maritime Academies in the Philippines, which produce 40,000 seafarers each year (2011, UNCTAD) 421 Licensed crewing Agents in the Philippines (UNCTAD Report) 1.9 Billion Dollar Remittances 400-3000 Monthly Salary of Filipino seafarers (Institute of Labor Studies, 2011) 367,166 Sea-based Filipino workers (POEA, 2013) 69,297 Filipino seafarers working Panama-registered vessels (POEA) 107,313 Filipino seafarers working as able seaman, oiler, and ordinary positions There are quite a number of “impending” challenges in the domestic maritime transport sector that the country and the stakeholders must face as we near AEC integration by November. ASEAN has drawn up a Maritime Transport Action Plan (MTAP) to build an integrated, efficient and competitive maritime transport system. The plan includes implementing an Asean Single Shipping Market (ASSM) and calls for support for the privatization and commercialization of port operations for the centralization and harmonization of port documentation by 2015.

ASEAN Integration 2015 – Impact on Domestic Maritime Manpower Can Filipino Seafarers compete with their counterparts from other ASEAN countries? Possible impact of ASEAN Integration on domestic shipping: Negative - may exacerbate the shortage of marine officers Positive - good opportunity for qualified ratings

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