Seafarers Recruitment

Filipino Seafarers: Documents, Recognition and Jobs

Filipino seafarers work on every ship type, from bulk carriers and tankers to cruise ships, and the Philippines is one of the largest sources of seafarers in the world. The rules for hiring Filipino seafarers for foreign ships are detailed, so both seafarers and employers need to know them.

Certificates and seaman’s book in the Philippines

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is the STCW administration: it issues Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP).
MARINA also issues the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB), the Philippine seaman’s book.
Seafarers going abroad for work need an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) processed through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which took over the functions of the former POEA.

STCW status and recognition by foreign flags

The Philippines is a Party to the STCW Convention and appears on the IMO list of Parties confirmed as giving full and complete effect to it (the “white list”, IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1164 and its revisions). Check the latest revision before relying on it.

Foreign flags issue STCW Reg. I/10 endorsements on MARINA certificates after verification. In 2023, after an EMSA assessment, the European Commission decided to keep recognising Philippine STCW certificates, so EU-flag employers continue to accept them. Check each flag’s current list before the contract.

What employers ask Filipino seafarers for

Foreign shipowners and managers normally hire Filipino seafarers through a manning agency licensed by the DMW, with the principal accredited and the DMW standard employment contract
MARINA CoC/CoP, SIRB and passport, with flag endorsements
Seafarer medical from a clinic accredited for seafarers (check the current accreditation rules)
Sea service records and references for the rank applied for

If you are an employer: Seafarers Recruitment lets you find Filipino seafarers by rank and experience, but the deployment itself must follow Philippine rules through a licensed manning agency.

Endorsements and seaman’s books for foreign flags

Our partner International Ship Registry handles flag endorsements of CoCs (STCW Reg. I/10) and seaman’s books for ratings, for example the Belize seaman’s book, on behalf of seafarers and crewing agencies.

How to register

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Choose Filipino as nationality, then add your rank, sea service, CoC, STCW certificates, medical and seaman’s book, and upload copies.
Make your profile visible to verified employers and apply to the jobs for your rank.

Create seafarer account See all jobs

Jobs by rank and ship type

Seafarers of other nationalities

Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.