Philippines on maritime ‘white list’

For the third time in this decade, the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) has retained the Philippines on the global maritime body’s so-called “White List”, the maritime sector’s ‘reference bible’ in seafaring excellence, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced Friday.

“The inclusion of the Philippines in the so-called IMO ‘White List’ reflects its consistent and sustained standing in giving “full and complete effect” to the IMO’s revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention, or STCW ‘95, as amended,” the Secretary said in a statement

“The White List affirms the capacities and diligence of the Philippines in ensuring the competencies of Filipino seafarers,” she added.

The IMO is the United Nations specialized agency whose responsibility is focused on the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. It came out with the “White List” through recent circulars issued by the Maritime Safety Committee in May 2011.

The Secretary said the inclusion of the Philippines in the list also points to the country’s consistent compliance with the STCW Convention ‘95. The STCW ‘95 was amended during the 2010 Manila Conference, otherwise known as the Manila Amendments which will enter into force by January 1, 2012.