Pinoy Seafarers Preferred by Japanese Ship Operators -- (News)

Japanese ship operators, managers and owners still prefer to hire Filipino seafarers for their ships. This was revealed by the Chairman of the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ)

Capt. Takao Manji, Chairman of IMMAJ shared during the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila, that the reason Japanese companies hire Filipino seamen is because of their reliability, flexibility, diligence, and discipline.

The chairman expressed his appreciation to the Filipino seafarers who serves as the backbone to the expansion and domination of Japan in the shipping industry. According to the website of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), one of the oldest shipping companies in Japan, 60 percent of their seafarers are Filipinos. Second are Indians with nine percent. Only four percent of their crew members are Japanese.

In return, these companies give their Filipinos employees generous salaries, good accommodation in the ship and special privileges, such as free calls to their families and two months paid vacation when they are off board.

In addition, Japanese shipping companies have invested in training centers here in the Philippines. In 1993, MOL built a training center in Dasmariñas, Cavite. This training center is in partnership with Magsaysay Maritime Corporation. On the other hand, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K”-Line) opened its "K" Line Maritime Academy in Pasay City last February of this year.

Web Philippines, Inc. thanks the following sources:

Japan Corporate News (JCN) Network. Opening Ceremony of "K" Line Maritime Academy – Philippines (Posted February 22, 2008) Retrieved October 29, 2008
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=17085

GMANews.tv Filipino seafarers remain a top choice of Japanese ship owners. (Posted October 28, 2008) Retrieved October 29, 2008
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/129907/Filipino-seafarers-remain-a-top-choice-of-Japanese-ship-owners

Manila Times Internet Edition. For Japanese, Filipino seafarers still top pick (Posted October 29, 2008) Retrieved October 29, 2008
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/oct/29/yehey/top_stories/20081029top4.html

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. CSR and Environment Protection. Seagoing Employees - Seafarer Education and Training
http://www.mol.co.jp/csr-e/society/employee/sea/02.shtml

Philippine News Agency. RP seafarers still the top choice of Japanese ship owners and managers. (Posted October 28, 2008) Retrieved October 29, 2008
http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=22645