FOR decades, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) Philippines has been one of the primary engines behind the high-caliber reputation of the Filipino seafarer.
Now, as the global maritime industry faces an unprecedented shift toward decarbonization and digital evolution, BSM is surfacing its long-standing efforts to the national stage to support the Philippine government.
On March 17, 2026, BSM formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). This partnership is not a sudden pivot, but rather a strategic amplification of BSM’s existing mission: ensuring its workforce remains the most transition-agile in the world while helping the state modernize national maritime standards.
Since its inception, BSM Philippines has operated on a “Gold Standard” of training that consistently exceeds international requirements. The current push into “Green” technologies and “Human Element” resilience is the culmination of years of internal investment in state-of-the-art facilities and curriculum development.
“This MOU is the formalization of what we have been practicing for years,” said Guengoer Ates, BSM group representative. “BSM has always believed that a maritime company is only as strong as its people. By bringing our internal expertise to our partnership with Marina, we are helping ensure the entire Philippine maritime sector moves in lockstep with global demands.”
The agreement outlines a concrete roadmap for the first year of implementation, turning BSM’s internal “future-proofing” strategies into national initiatives. Key actions include:
– Methanol and Ammonia Training: BSM will deliver specialized training sessions for Marina personnel. This ensures regulators are well-versed in the technology and the competencies required for the safe operation of the next generation of dual-fuel vessels.
– “Training of Trainers” for BT-PSSR: BSM will facilitate advanced programs for instructors to update the Basic Training-Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (BT-PSSR) modules, ensuring they reflect 21st-century shipboard realities.
– Resource and Facility Sharing: BSM will provide Marina with access to its world-class learning facilities, bridging the gap between classroom theory and actual shipboard technology.
– Mental Health Course Development: Drawing from BSM’s internal wellness programs, experts will collaborate to create a dedicated course aimed at bolstering the cognitive resilience of all Filipino seafarers.
– Regulatory Framework for Green Fuels: BSM will assist Marina in developing national guidelines for the training and certification of Filipino seafarers for the safe handling of alternative fuels aligned with IMO standards.
BSM’s long-term focus has always extended beyond the bridge and engine room. Adrien Luntao, BSM training director, noted that the company has been a pioneer in addressing the “Human Element” — specifically mental health and technical adaptability — long before it was a global focal point.
“Our goal is to ensure BSM seafarers are not just employees, but perennially competent professionals,” Luntao emphasized. Through the MOU, BSM is now integrating these private successes into the national framework, ensuring the “BSM Standard” benefits the broader seafaring community.
The signing, witnessed by Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan and STCW Office Executive Director Samuel Batalla, signals a new era where BSM acts as a primary technical advisor to the state.
Administrator Malaluan emphasized that while technology is evolving, the focus remains on the “welfare, competence, and resilience” of the mariner — a philosophy that has been the bedrock of BSM’s operations in the Philippines for over 40 years. By aligning its elite internal training culture with national policy, BSM is ensuring that the Filipino seafarer remains the undisputed global choice for a cleaner, more professional maritime future.
“As the industry shifts toward cleaner and more advanced technologies, BSM stands at the forefront, empowering our people with the skills that define global standards,” Armando Santosidad, general manager of BSM Crew Service Center Philippines, said.
As of March 2026, BSM already have around 6,000 onboard positions occupied by Filipinos. Among the diverse fleets of BSM, the largest nationality pool is also composed of 10,000 Filipino seafarers of the BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines Inc.
CARMELA HUELAR
