On the International Day of the Seafarer on June 25, Philippine maritime authorities, labor unions, manning executives and veteran shipmasters united behind the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) global campaign to promote seafarer safety and welfare.
Centered on this year’s theme, “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks,” stakeholders issued statements highlighting the physical, psychological and systemic dangers confronting modern mariners. Amid volatile waters, drone strikes and piracy threats, maritime leaders called for a stronger global commitment to prioritize crew safety and mental health over commercial pressures.
In a statement marking the International Day of the Seafarer, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) emphasized that Filipino seafarers remain among the most important contributors to the global economy.
“To our Filipino seafarers, you are ambassadors of the Filipino spirit across the world,” said MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan. She added that their skill, professionalism and resilience bring pride to the country with every voyage, while reaffirming that MARINA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) remain committed to protecting their welfare.
Speaking during the Seafarer Social Summit on June 22, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency works closely with licensed manning agencies to monitor the status of overseas Filipino seafarers in real time.
Cacdac acknowledged that government efforts alone may not be enough to guarantee the safety of seafarers during crises, but said protective measures continue to be strengthened through monitoring by Migrant Workers offices and Philippine foreign service posts abroad.
“Rest assured that under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we at the DMW will continue to push for the implementation of regulatory measures to strengthen the safety and well-being of seafarers and their families. This includes the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, the recently signed DMW sea-based rules, and the Standard Employment Contract for Seafarers and Overseas Fishermen,” he said.
Cacdac noted that overseas seafaring provided employment to nearly 590,000 Filipino seafarers in 2025. He added that the sector contributed about $7.139 billion to the economy that year, helping make the Philippines the world’s leading supplier of seafarers to the global maritime fleet.
The Philippines continues to be one of the world’s largest sources of merchant marine personnel, deploying more than half a million seafarers worldwide. However, the IMO’s 2026 campaign underscores that moving 90 percent of global trade comes at a significant human cost.
Labor and maritime leaders said operating under the shadow of modern conflict has created unprecedented psychological pressures for seafarers.
Dr. Conrado F. Oca, president of the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF), issued a message of solidarity, stressing that shipping operations have become increasingly dangerous.
“Right now, our crew members are navigating intense geopolitical crossfires in volatile waters, facing drone strikes, piracy and unlawful detentions. You are carrying the world’s economy on your shoulders, but you are bearing a big share of the risk. AMOSUP’s stance remains simple, firm and absolute: seafarers are workers, not targets, and your safety is non-negotiable,” Oca said.
The ALMA Group highlighted the psychological toll of these challenges. ALMA Group President Antonio Ladera said long watches under constant threat can lead to hypervigilance, sleep deprivation and chronic stress, all of which can affect judgment and safe decision-making.
Ladera encouraged seafarers to combine strict operational procedures with practical mental health practices, including box breathing exercises, watchmate buddy checks and the use of tele-counseling services.
“When everyone knows the plan, fear turns into action,” he said.
Providing a perspective from the bridge, veteran shipmaster Capt. John Michael Lechugas described how geopolitical tensions have increased the burden of command at sea.
“As a master mariner, that fear is often doubled by the weight of responsibility. Every decision carries the potential impact on the safety and lives of everyone on board. Staying focused requires strength, calmness and confidence. While commercial pressures from owners or charterers will always exist, safety must remain the highest priority. Do not simply agree because you are told to do so. Assess the situation carefully. At the end of the voyage, schedules can be recovered, but lives cannot.” The evolving security landscape has also prompted renewed discussion on a seafarer’s right to refuse assignments that place crews in unnecessary danger, reinforcing the industry’s call for stronger protections and support systems for maritime workers.