Australia and the Philippines have strengthened an agreement on mutual recognition of seafarer certificates, easing administrative hurdles and supporting trade and shipping between the two countries.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown met with Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Sonia Malaluan in Manila on Friday to finalize the arrangement.
Innes-Brown also announced Australia’s endorsement of the Philippines-led Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-being.
“This is not just about certificates — it is about people and prosperity. Almost 95 percent of Australia’s two-way goods trade with the Philippines is seaborne. In 2024 and 2025 respectively, Australia was visited 52 times by Philippines-flagged vessels — the highest number in the past five years,” Innes-Brown said.
The agreement aims to streamline maritime operations, support Filipino seafarers and strengthen Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
For Australia, the measures mean smoother trade and more efficient maritime operations that support ambitions under its economic strategy, “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.”
Malaluan said the memorandum reflects the Philippines’ commitment to globally compliant training, assessment and certification of its seafarers.
Australia has consistently supported maritime cooperation with the Philippines in recent years, including a permanent Australian Border Force presence in Manila and collaboration with the World Bank to decarbonize inter-island ferry services under the Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028.
