THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the French government held a technical exchange to improve ship registry competitiveness and seafarer protection protocols amid the Middle East crisis.
Marina and the French government conducted a lecture series on April 24, 2026, to share maritime industry practices. The session focused on improving ship registries and ensuring seafarer welfare during the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan cited the importance of international cooperation in enhancing maritime safety and marine environment protection. She noted that France’s technical assistance supports the agency’s efforts to align with international standards.
Emeric Faure, head of the French International Ship Registry, presented the organizational and regulatory provisions of the French flag. He discussed the RIF’s administrative systems, tax structures, and investment incentives. These practices were compared to Philippine legislative efforts to establish a more competitive international ship registry.
The discussion included protocols for the repatriation of seafarers from high-risk areas. Faure outlined the procedures used by the French government to manage crew safety in volatile regions, emphasizing the coordination required between involved states.
Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina emphasized a “whole-of-government approach” to crisis response. He stated that inter-agency coordination is necessary to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers during international conflicts.
Marina aims to utilize these shared practices to support legislative reforms and improve the country’s ship registry functions and labor protection frameworks.
