AHEAD OF OCTOBER AUDIT VISIT

The European Union (EU) has expressed appreciation for what it described as the Philippine government’s resolve to comply with standards on maritime education, training and competency certificates after failing an audit last April.
EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux told reporters last week that the appointment of Maximo Mejia Jr. as the new head of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) showed the resolve of the Philippines to address the issue in time for the visit of representatives of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in October.

The European Union (EU) has expressed appreciation for what it described as the Philippine government’s resolve to comply with standards on maritime education, training and competency certificates after failing an audit last April.
EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux told reporters last week that the appointment of Maximo Mejia Jr. as the new head of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) showed the resolve of the Philippines to address the issue in time for the visit of representatives of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in October.
“There will be another visit in October and we have noticed that the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) has appointed the head of the Marina. He is working hard to improve the situation,” Ledoux stressed.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya announced the appointment of Mejia last May as part of efforts to modernize the country’s merchant fleet and put it at par with international standards.
“At that stage I cannot comment what will be the outcome of the visit in October but I am confident that Mejia is working hard to address the issue,” Ledoux added.
The Philippines failed an EMSA audit last April regarding the quality of maritime education, training and competency certificates issued by the Philippines to Filipino seafarers.
The audit and failure to meet the requirements   puts the jobs of around 80,000 Filipino seafarers on European-flagged vessels at stake, and a possible European Union (EU) ban on the hiring of Filipinos.

The European Maritime Safety Administration (EMSA ) team is expected to return for a final audit in October.