The Department of Migrant Workers stressed strong resolve to implement the Magna Carta for Seafarers in the recent abandonment cases of seafarers to ensure seafarers are protected against unfair practices including abandonment.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to safeguard the welfare and ensure the protection of the seafaring industry through the implementation of the Magna Carta for Seafarers, the DMW stressed that abandonment is a clear violation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta, and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) and the POEA Rules and Regulations.
The DMW emphasized that there are already international standard measures already in place specifically to address the abandonment cases, including ensuring the licensed manning agencies in the Philippines to monitor situations of abandonment, including order to pay wages of seafarers, ensuring that standards are implemented in accommodation, food, water, medical care, among others.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) through its Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) reported the status of seafarers from vessels that were abandoned under various circumstances.
- MV Atheras and Buenaventura (Panamanian Bulk Carriers)
The DMW, through the Maritime Workers’ Office (MWO) in London, reports that both shipowners and the licensed manning agency have ensured that the crew’s allotments for January 2025 have been paid in full. - MV Gemini (Passenger Ship)
The Licensed Manning Agency (LMA), TDG Crew Management, Inc., reports that there are no longer any crew members on board the vessel as of February 20, 2025. - MV Manticor (Bulk Carrier)
The LMA, Virtue Maritime Services Corporation, has confirmed that all crew members have been safely repatriated and their salaries have been paid in full. - Team Porter (Salvage/Rescue Vessel)
Diamond-H Marine Services and Shipping Agency, Inc. reports that all Filipino crew members are currently staying at the Bernham Seaman’s Hotel in Bremerhaven, Germany, while awaiting their flights back to the Philippines.
Reports says that there were 742 recorded abandoned vessels from 2020-2024, 159 of which were in Panama, Palau, Tanzania, Comoros, Cameroon. Ships are mostly abandoned in the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, North America and seven (7) were reported at Sea.
Further reports say that from 2018-2024, there are 842 abandoned Filipino seafarers in the fishing vessel, passenger, yacht, long liner and bulk carrier.
The DMW continues to monitor the welfare of Filipino seafarers and remains committed to ensuring their safety and well-being during challenging situations.
All Filipino seafarers and their families are encouraged to report to the DMWs One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC) if abandonment occurs.
Likewise, the DMW reiterates its call to licensed manning agencies and shipowners to report to the DMW within five days, and they must arrange the immediate repatriation of the seafarer
According to Maritime Labor Convention, abandonment not only pertains to physical abandonment but also includes ship owners who fail to fulfill their obligations to the seafarer such as non-payment of wages.
If the concerned LMA and shipowner fail to repatriate, the DMW, through its MWO office in the Port State where the abandoned seafarers are found, will arrange the repatriation of the seafarer through the AKSYON Fund.
The DMW remains committed in its mandate, and it firmly opposes the act of shipowners of abandonment of seafarers in ports and at sea. Such an act is a grave violation of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which expressly mandates the protection of Filipino Seafarers, it25s IRR, and the 2016 POEA Seabased Rules and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended.
