Marina speeds up seafarer certification

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has significantly improved seafarer certificate processing through digital transformation, cutting times, eliminating queues and reducing costs by 50 percent.

In 2024, Marina received an average of 4,000 applications daily and processed 3,000, according to records from the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Office (STCWO). This marks a major improvement from 2019 to early 2024 when regular processing applicants waited 2-3 months for an evaluation schedule, with processing taking another 2-3 days. Expedited applications were processed within the day but still required an in-person visit. Since Feb. 15, 2022, Marina has fully transitioned to online application, evaluation, and electronic certificate issuance. .

The improved system ensures regular processing applicants receive evaluation on schedule, complete processing within 5–7 working days, and get their certificates within a day of payment. Expedited applications undergo evaluation within an hour and are released within two hours of payment. The 2–3 month waiting time persisted until early 2024, as seafarers and Marina processors familiarized themselves with the digital system. Data encoding also posed challenges during the initial stages.

Marina's digital transformation has made certification faster, more convenient and cost-efficient, easing the burden on Filipino seafarers while enhancing maritime efficiency.