90 Japanese Ships Divert to Philippines for Crew Change

Around 90 Japanese vessels have chosen the Philippines to host their crew changes. That includes at least 900 seafarers as the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) decided to divert the crew change to different ports in the country.

 

IMMAJ through its letter to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the figures would result in an average of three vessels per day and 10 seafarers replaced among each of the country’s three crew change hubs — Port of Manila, Port of Capinpin in Orion, Bataan; and Subic Bay Freeport. Crew change hubs are ports that have ‘one-stop-shops’ for health screening, customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities to process off-signed and on-signed seafarers, both Filipino and foreign.

The letter, signed by IMMAJ Chairman Captain Koichi Akamine, thanked the PPA for opening the Port of Capinpin in Bataan, noting that the Philippines was one of the few countries in the world that remained open for crew changes.

“This time, you have opened another door by enabling us to use Bataan. We would again appreciate your understanding and cooperation as well as the time and efforts you dedicated to the shipping industry,” the IMMAJ said.

Back in August, the Philippines committed to becoming a major international hub for crew change during the 39th Meeting of the Maritime Transport Working Group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It led to the creation several crew change hubs in parts of the country.

 

Source: Philippine News Agency