Zamboanga, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa ports designated crew change hubs

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Puerto Princesa port
Puerto Princesa port is one of three new ports designated as crew change hubs. Photo from Philippine Ports Authority.
  • Zamboanga, Iloilo, and Puerto Princesa ports designated crew change hubs
  • The three ports bring to nine such facilities in the country where seafarers can sign on or sign off
  • The new crew change hubs were activated on March 14, March 21 and April 8, respectively
  • The establishment of crew change hubs across the country is part of measures government has adopted to keep maritime operations going despite strict safety protocols amid the pandemic

The Zamboanga, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa ports were designated crew change hubs for seafarers, increasing the country’s hubs for seafarers to nine, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

The Zamboanga, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa crew change hubs were activated on March 14, March 21 and April 8, respectively. They join six other hubs at Manila South Harbor, Capinpin Port in Bataan, Bataan, Sasa Wharf in Davao, Batangas Port, Subic, and Cebu Port.

The establishment of such hubs across the country is part of measures adopted to keep maritime operations going despite the strict health protocols being enforced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: SBMA reaps P65.7M windfall from crew change program

The hubs process documents needed to facilitate the movement of both on-signer and off-signer seafarers amid the global pandemic, in recognition of their vital contribution to the country’s economy.

The Philippines is one of 13 countries which in 2020 committed to the International Maritime Organization to facilitate crew changes and achieve key worker designation for seafarers during the pandemic.

The hubs are staffed by the following government agencies: DOTr and its attached agencies – Office for Transportation Security, Cebu Port Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority; Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Office of Civil Defense, and various provincial and local government units.

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