China overtakes PH as top producer of ship officers

China has overtaken the Philippines as the world’s top producer of seafarers for the world’s shipping lines.

The emergence of China as having the most number of seafarers qualified for international shipping is contained in a recent report by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

A ranking official of the Vatican has thus challenged Filipino seafarers to further improve their competitiveness.

At the 21st National Seafarers’ Day celebration at the SMX at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Fr. Bruno Ciceri, representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International at the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said that while many companies still prefer Filipino seafarers, China has now produced the most number of seafarers.

“The Chinese are now taking over and there are other nationalities that are coming forward especially for the officers and Filipinos should work double time,” Ciceri said.

He said the Philippines has lagged behind China in producing shipping officers which will be needed in the next 10 years.

The BIMCO/ICS report said there was a current shortfall of 16,500 for officers. It has been estimated that the world would need 92,000 officers in 2020 and 147,500 more in 2025.

“We need more Filipino officers and I would advise Filipinos to work hard to improve their capacity to become officers because that is what is lacking in the world (maritime industry),” Ciceri said.

Before China, the Philippines had long been world’s top source of seafarers with some 367,000 Filipino seafarers deployed all over the world. Filipino seafarers are the top choice in the international maritime industry because of their industry, compassion, resilience and good grasp of the English language.

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