The Philippines has once again been recognized as the world's largest supplier of seafarers, reinforcing its longstanding position as a key contributor to the global maritime industry. The recognition comes from the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report released by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
Citing the latest report, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said the Philippines ranked first among the world's five largest seafarer-supplying countries. Together, these five nations account for 56.25 percent of the global seafarer workforce.
According to the report, the Philippines deployed 203,179 officers and 256,968 ratings, placing it ahead of India, China, Russia, and Indonesia.
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Filipino Seafarers Continue to Lead Global Workforce
Marina also noted that Filipinos remain the largest nationality among STCW-certified (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) personnel serving aboard the world's merchant fleet. They were followed by seafarers from Ukraine, India, Romania, and Poland.
The agency added that Filipino seafarers ranked first in both the officer and rating categories, reflecting the continued demand for their skills in international shipping.
Marina said the report's findings "reaffirm the Philippines’ leading role in the global maritime workforce and the continued demand for the competence and professionalism of Filipino seafarers in international shipping."
Strengthening Maritime Education and Training
To maintain the country's competitiveness, Marina said it continues to improve the Philippines' maritime education, training, assessment, and certification systems to ensure Filipino seafarers remain qualified and compliant with international standards.
The report estimated that the global supply of seafarers in 2026 reached 2,565,580 seafarers, consisting of 1,048,980 officers and 1,516,600 ratings.
It also estimated that the global demand for STCW-certified seafarers in 2026 stands at 2,547,790, composed of 1,088,080 officers and 1,459,710 ratings.
“The global supply of seafarers in 2026 is estimated at 2,565,580 seafarers, of which 1,048,980 are officers and 1,516,600 are ratings,” the report stated.
The Seafarer Workforce Report is jointly published by Bimco and the ICS every five years to assess global trends in the maritime labor force.
The Philippines' continued leadership in supplying seafarers highlights the significant contribution of Filipino maritime professionals to the global shipping industry. For many Filipino families, overseas seafaring provides stable employment and remittances that support household incomes, while the country's strong reputation in maritime services helps boost the economy and reinforces the Philippines' standing as a global hub for skilled seafarers.
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