Ship services
Part of the problem that continues to plague the maritime sector of the Philippines is unsustainable and inefficient marine management. The pandemic highlighted areas that can be improved upon in the sector such as ship or vessel management. As it is, backlogs continue to pile up in ports due to the global supply chain crisis.
Ships are vital to maritime trade. Without enough seaworthy vessels plying trade routes, there would be more catastrophic effects on both local and global industries. Ship management services should be able to adapt to the quickly-growing changes in the shipping industry. Companies that offer different ship services should know that the demand for better management systems will continue to grow in the coming years.
Permits and maintenance are but a couple in the long list of tasks that ship management companies face. They are responsible for the vessel, its crew, and many other different responsibilities that need to be taken care of even before the ship leaves the port. Managing a vessel is not an easy task, especially now in a time of a global health and supply chain crisis.
Crew change
ILO’s 2006 Maritime Labour Convention states that seafarers are allowed only 11 months to be aboard ships. Some seafarers were on board for 15 months during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, 4 months longer than the stated limit. The prolonged duration puts workers at risk. Medical and mental health issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Fatigue and exhaustion due to a longer time at sea can put crew members in danger, especially with stricter restrictions being imposed in ports worldwide.
Workers at sea are not the only ones who are subjected to stress. Seafarers who are waiting to embark are also put under financial stress, specifically those who rely on their livelihood to provide for their families.
Crew change is vital to the overall health of workers in the shipping industry. It can alleviate fatigue, boost the morale of workers, and promote a more sustainable workforce in one of the most demanding industries in the world. Problems in crewing are an issue that should be addressed not only by governments but by stakeholders and companies as well. While crews aboard ships disembark after fulfilling their contracts, there should be replacements waiting to relieve them in an effort to keep the workforce healthy and global trade ongoing.
The road to recovery
The Philippine maritime industry is not without its challenges as stated above. However, help is on its way. News of private companies both local and international have shown their support for the industry and it’s only a matter of time until changes are applied and better policies are put into place.
The Philippine Ports Authority reported that cargo traffic rose by 8.8% while a 9.3% year-on-year growth in cargo volume was recorded in 2021. As an additional measure to promote the growth of the local shipping industry, the PPA also introduced a series of measures to further help the shipping sector stay on calm waters despite the current global oil and health crises.
PPA introduced a provision of insurance coverage for foreign containers as a substitute for container deposits and container maintenance fees. Aside from this, the digitalization of systems and processes was also sped up to improve efficiency in ports. Not only that, but the Philippine shipping sector also saw to it that major upgrades were made to both local and international port capacity between 2016 and 2021 with a total of 240 port projects amounting to $380 billion under a government infrastructure program.
The country’s contribution to global trade comes in the form of highly-skilled workers and seafarers—a resource that is precious and reliable. Making sure that they are taken care of is one of the keys to success in facing the new challenges brought about by the pandemic. After all, they are the heroes of global trade that we all rely upon. It’s time to repay them with better services and benefits whether they’re on board a ship or not.
The maritime sector can bounce back from the setbacks it has faced in the past two years. Changing for the better and preparing for future challenges are just a couple of ways to make sure it can weather anything the pandemic throws in its course.
