THE Philippine Maritime Convention (Philmarcon) marks its return to the country’s roster of prominent maritime conferences with its sights set on seafarer welfare protection and global competitiveness.
After 11 years of hiatus, the Philmarcon 2026 is set to return on Sept. 22-23 at the Fiesta Pavilion, The Manila Hotel, in Manila.
Building on the legacy of landmark gatherings since 2006, the convention once again brings together key stakeholders from the Philippine and international maritime sectors to strengthen partnerships and chart the future of the industry.
Anchored on the theme “Sailing Forward: The Philippines as the Global Leader in Seafarer Welfare, Protection and Maritime Excellence,” the convention highlights the Philippine government’s commitment to advancing a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to maritime governance, seafarer welfare and protection, and global competitiveness.
It will serve as a venue to demonstrate to the international maritime community the Philippines’ continuing initiatives, reforms, and compliance undertakings in promoting the highest standards of maritime governance, labor protection, safety, training, and responsible employment practices.
The Philmarcon also aims to become a national platform for leadership dialogue, policy convergence, and strategic action-setting by bringing together international shipowners and principal associations, licensed manning agencies, seafarers, labor unions, maritime education and training institutions, government agencies, and national and international maritime and labor organizations.
The convention is being organized through the collaboration of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as the lead convenor, together with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup), and the Joint Manning Group (JMG) as co-convenors.
Over the course of the two-day convention, participants will engage in high-level discussions on gains and achievements on policy reforms, industry trends, technological transformation, labor and welfare protection, maritime education and training, and the future of global shipping.
Through dialogue, partnership, and collective action, the convention seeks to generate meaningful recommendations and strengthen the Philippines’ position as a global leader in maritime human capital, responsible maritime governance, and maritime excellence.
