Domestic shipping operators and maritime stakeholders in the Visayas region of the Philippines are calling on the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to reform its manning policies.

They argue that these regulations pose a significant threat to domestic shipping operations, which are increasingly challenged by a severe crew shortage.

During an open forum held at Bai Hotel Cebu in Mandaue City on June 5, 2025, representatives from the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA) and other maritime groups expressed their concerns regarding policies that they assert favor international standards over the realities of the domestic shipping sector.

Lucio Lim Jr., the chairman of PCSA, emphasized the need for a clearer distinction between domestic and overseas maritime regulatory frameworks.

He urged national government agencies to simplify compliance processes for local operators, highlighting the adverse effects of current regulations.

Villamor Ventura Plan, Assistant Secretary for Maritime at the Department of Transportation, reiterated the government's commitment to revising maritime regulations that impact the domestic shipping industry.

He acknowledged ongoing concerns from operators about the inappropriate application of international seafaring standards to local vessels.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon was expected to attend the meeting but was unable to do so due to a conflicting Senate invitation, leading Plan to address attendees on his behalf.

Plan pointed out the government's intent to develop regulations specifically for the domestic sector, referencing the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers as a foundational law that grants Marina the authority to establish distinct frameworks for local shipping.

He indicated plans to meet with Marina officials soon to further discuss the feedback from PCSA.

PCSA represents the largest shipping association in the Philippines, comprising Filipino ship owners who operate more than 700 vessels that serve thousands of passengers and transport cargo across the archipelago.

The maritime crisis has been exacerbated by regulations that mandate seafarers, even those operating on domestic routes, to adhere to global Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) protocols.

Lim and other PCSA members reported that several shipping operations have been temporarily halted due to a critical lack of qualified crew members, with many skilled Filipino seafarers opting for positions on international vessels.

Shipowners are facing increasing operational challenges, with some vessels forced to delay or cancel voyages because of insufficient licensed deck officers.

In some instances, operators have resorted to flying in captains from other ports to meet required regulatory standards.

Lim noted that the current requirements are particularly unsuitable for smaller vessels, typically under 250 gross tonnage, that operate on short-distance or inter-island routes, which should be classified as “near-coastal” operations deserving of tailored regulations.

Industry leaders are advocating for the establishment of a separate set of qualifications and career progression pathways for domestic seafarers.

They argue that the STCW, originally designed for international ocean-going vessels, does not appropriately apply to inter-island operations in the Philippines.

Lim questioned the rationale behind imposing international standards on small local ships, stating, "Why are we forcing small local ships to follow international standards meant for large, ocean-going vessels?" He pointed out that there exists a highly experienced pool of local seafarers who, due to stringent formal qualification requirements, are being excluded from opportunities within the industry.

The current regulations demand that aspiring captains, even for vessels below 2,500 gross tonnage, possess a four-year maritime degree, thereby disqualifying many experienced local ship captains who have acquired their skills through alternative certification or vocational training.

The stringent manning rules have been characterized as impractical, with adverse implications for local expertise.

Lim highlighted the importance of experiential knowledge in managing ship operations effectively, including activities such as docking and navigation.

Moreover, Lim criticized the perceived lack of genuine industry input in the policymaking process, noting that Marina had committed to incorporating voices from domestic shipping when drafting the implementing rules and regulations of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, a promise he claims has not been fulfilled.

In contrast, other nations, such as China, Japan, and the United States, maintain separate licensing systems tailored to their domestic shipping needs, raising the possibility that the Philippines could consider adopting a similar approach.