“CARRYING world trade. Carrying the risks.”
This is the theme of this year’s International Day of the Seafarer, as the global maritime community, once again, comes together to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the world’s seafarers.
Centered on the vital contributions of seafarers even in the face of difficult and dangerous conditions, this year’s International Day of the Seafarer becomes another global event rife with dialogues and campaign for seafarers’ safety, wellbeing, and mental health.
This comes amid the new realities that the global maritime industry is grappling with.
From escalating geopolitical crises that threaten vital trade lanes to the fast-paced demands of automation and rapid decarbonization, the shifting tides of shipping are placing an immense burden on labor-supplying nations, chief among them is the Philippines.
Yet, despite these immense pressures, one staggering fact remains unchanged: this industry carries the weight of the world on its back, with over 80 percent of global trade still moved by sea.
In the face of unprecedented hardships, it is the seafarers themselves who serve as the invisible backbone of the global economy, enduring tough conditions to ensure that essential goods, energy, and cargo safely reach their destinations.
As a major seafaring superpower, the Philippines joins the global community and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in this campaign. “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks” is a powerful directive that underscores the escalating dangers mariners face in conflict-affected zones, a crisis highlighted by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who emphasized that while seafarers are indispensable to the global economy, their safety and well-being can no longer be compromised.
Mirroring these urgent global warnings, top Philippine officials and domestic maritime leaders have issued a unified call to action. Industry stakeholders and government authorities alike are emphasizing that as the world demands greener, smarter ships, the focus must remain squarely on supporting the human element — vowing stronger protections, comprehensive upskilling, and robust policy reforms to safeguard the Filipino mariners who bear the brunt of these global risks.
According to the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup), seafaring is more than just a logistical job — it has become “a high-stakes, perilous mission.”
Amosup emphasized that seafarers now face intense geopolitical crossfires in volatile waters, drone strikes, piracy, and unlawful detentions.
“You are carrying the world’s economy on your shoulders, but you are bearing a big share of the risk,” Amosup said in an official statement addressed to seafarers, adding that its stance remains simple, firm and absolute — “seafarers are workers, not targets, and your safety is non-negotiable.”
Amosup guarantees the welfare of the seafarers through tripartism — the direct partnership between shipowners, the government, and labor unions.
“We cannot weather these modern storms alone. Our recent victories remind us that our greatest shield is unity. Amosup has long championed a robust tripartite approach — the cooperation between labor unions, shipowners/employers, and the government. It is this cooperation that allows us to swiftly push for high-risk area designations, equitable wage increases, and comprehensive crew welfare programs,” it said.
These views were echoed by the government through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In his speech during the Seafarer Social Summit last June 22, 2026, Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac said that the agency works closely with licensed manning agencies to closely monitor, in real-time, the status of overseas seafarers.
Cacdac admits that while government efforts may not be enough to guarantee protection of seafarers in crisis situations, measures are still strengthened and put in place through onsite monitoring at Migrant Workers offices and Philippine foreign service posts.
“Rest assured that under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we at the DMW will continue to push for the implementation of regulatory measures to strengthen the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and their families. This includes the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, the recently signed DMW sea-based rules, and Standard Employment Contract for Seafarers and Overseas fishermen,” he said.
Cacdac recognized how overseas seafaring was cemented as an important source of gainful employment for close to 590,000 Filipino seafarers in 2025. He also said that they contribute to about $7.139B in the same year “which drove national prosperity and made Philippines the top supplies of seafarers in the global maritime fleet,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Manning Group (JMG) drew attention to the rapid technological advancements on top of the intense geopolitical tensions. Accordingly, these massive shifts in shipping looms like a dark cloud on seafarers.
“JMG views these challenges not as a threat, but as a mandate for stronger advocacy. In response to today’s evolving landscape, we are actively implementing proactive measures to protect our mariners by working hand-in-hand with government bodies and international registries to guarantee that the distinct competence, resilience, and incomparable work ethic of the Filipino seafarer remain irreplaceable,” Marlon Roño, president of the JMG said.
The sad reality of vague policies
According to Captain Edgardo Flores, a maritime consultant and former ship captain, it takes one master to know the struggles of another.
Flores cited the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and said that being trapped in war-like zones is a nightmare that will surely affect the mental health of a seafarer, something that cannot be easily resolved by precautionary measures.
“Imagine the tension, anxiety, depressions, and over-thinking day in day out, not knowing if they can still live another day,” he said.
Flores cited the “Refuse to Sail” policy that allows seafarers to decline sailing into high-risk and war-like zones — the maritime industry supposed measure of protection for seafarers.
According to the ship captain, this places seafarers in a difficult position — risk their lives in war zones or lose their jobs by refusing to do so.
“In reality, Filipino seafarers are afraid of invoking their right to Refuse to Sail. The biggest question is, can international organizations assure seafarers of fair treatment, that they will not be deprived of their job, should they refuse to sail in these areas?” he asked.
The same sentiment was echoed by Capt. Antonio Ladera, president of the Association of Licensed Manning Agencies (ALMA).
According to Ladera, the policy sounds good on paper but difficult in reality.
“Many Filipino seafarers feel constrained from exercising that right. Their reasons are practical and powerful — financial pressure to support their family, and the fear of being labeled as ‘difficult’ and thereby being blacklisted by manning agencies,” he said.
Ladera added that the unclear procedures are aggravated by the cultural reluctance of the Filipino to escalate issues.
