Vaccinations seen critical for Filipino seafarers

Shipowners and ship managers have not explicitly required Filipino seafarers to be fully vaccinated before they sign deployment contracts. They agree, however, other countries whose seamen are fully inoculated will have a definite edge over Filipinos if a vaccination requirement is not imposed.

On top of fast-tracking the inoculation of seafarers, other "critical areas" need to be addressed to preserve the country's position as the top provider of crews for the global fleet, industry leaders also pointed out.