International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez officially opened the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Regional Forum in Manila on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The high-level gathering, held at a critical juncture for the maritime industry, reinforces the Philippines’ strategic role as a primary pillar of the global maritime workforce and a central hub for the Asia-Pacific region. This forum serves as the launching pad for what Dominguez described as the “Year of Implementation,” a period dedicated to transforming high-level regulatory plans into measurable progress for the nearly two million seafarers operating across the globe.
Secretary-General Dominguez and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan also held a joint press conference at Okada Manila. During the briefing, Dominguez detailed the “human-centric” focus of the IMO’s current agenda, emphasizing that the upcoming two-week session will initiate the second phase of the STCW review. He specifically invited Philippine stakeholders to provide input, noting that their perspective is essential to “bring this convention to the next steps, to where the future of seafaring is all about.”
IMO Secretary General Arsenio Domingo during the opening day PHOTO from Marina.
Dominguez emphasized the vital importance of an effective and harmonized implementation of the STCW Convention. He noted that the maritime industry is currently undergoing a rapid and profound transformation driven by the twin forces of decarbonization and digitalization. As the sector pivots toward green shipping, the Secretary-General highlighted that training must evolve to meet these “new realities,” particularly as crews begin to handle emerging alternative fuels such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. “As fuels evolve, we need to evolve with them,” Dominguez stated, underlining that technical competence must be matched by an agile regulatory framework that ensures no seafarer is left behind by the technological curve.
The forum brought together a diverse assembly of delegates from across Asian countries and the broader Southeast Asian region. This gathering is designed to function as a critical platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing, specifically addressing the compliance and implementation challenges that often arise when international standards meet regional operational realities. Dominguez stressed the need for “strong cooperation among maritime administrations, industry leaders, and training institutions” to ensure that seafarers remain not only competent and adaptable but also globally competitive in an increasingly automated landscape.
A major highlight of the opening day and the preceding briefing was the Secretary-General’s confirmation regarding landmark protections for the global workforce. He announced that mandatory training for the prevention of violence and harassment—encompassing bullying and sexual harassment—officially became effective on January 1, 2026. This move marks a historic shift in maritime policy, elevating the “human element” to the same level of regulatory scrutiny as technical safety. Dominguez reinforced this human-centric approach, remarking that “when we talk about ‘practice’, we are talking about people,” and insisting that the industry must ensure “every individual working at sea can do so with dignity and security.” These new standards are now being integrated into Port State Control inspections, ensuring that anti-harassment measures are audited with the same rigor as engine room maintenance or bridge watchkeeping.
During the press conference, Dominguez also addressed the ongoing risks in conflict zones, specifically the Red Sea and the Black Sea. Addressing recent attacks and the tragic fatalities among Filipino seafarers, he offered a candid reminder: “One of the challenges we are facing is of course our seafarers are not trained for combat. So when ships navigate in areas of conflict, they are not prepared for attacks from missiles.” He urged shipping companies to conduct rigorous “go/no-go” safety risk assessments before transiting high-risk corridors and called for an immediate end to targeted attacks, asserting there is “no justification for any attacks against international shipping regardless of motivation or cause.”
As Phase II of the STCW Convention review moves forward, the IMO remains focused on creating “human-centric outcomes.” This involves leveraging the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to embed anti-harassment policies and safety risk assessments directly into company culture.
The forum underscores a shared regional commitment to strengthening maritime standards while protecting the welfare and professionalism of the men and women at the heart of global trade. By the conclusion of this three-day event, the IMO and its regional partners aim to have a strengthened framework that ensures the maritime workforce is safe, secure, and ready for the challenges of a green and digital future.
MARINA and IMO officials discuss regional maritime cooperation
