The Registry · Updated 2026-09-06
Every rule that governs a Filipino seafarer's life. One place.
DMW circulars, MARINA STCW requirements, IMO and ILO amendments, ITF/IBF risk-area designations — tracked, summarized in plain language, and linked to the official text. Bookmark this page: when a rule changes, it changes here.
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Philippine issuances
DMW, MARINA, and the statutes behind them. The 2026 DMW rulebook and the revised Standard Employment Contract took effect on 2–3 July 2026 — if you sign, deploy, or process contracts, these govern you now.
2026 Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seabased Overseas Filipino Workers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 2 July 2026
The new master rulebook for sea-based recruitment and deployment, replacing the 2016 POEA framework. Implements RA 11641 (DMW charter) and RA 12021 (Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers). Tightens agency and principal accountability, including onboard living conditions and rest hours of no less than 10 hours in any 24-hour period.
Affects: Seafarers · Manning agencies · Principals
Revised Standard Employment Contract (SEC) for Seafarers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 3 July 2026
The unified contract every deployed Filipino seafarer signs. Headline changes: a concrete definition of abandonment (non-payment of wages for at least two months, or failure to arrange repatriation); an aggregate cap on multiple-disability payouts at the Grade-1 maximum of USD 66,000; expanded coverage for mental health and certain illnesses; employer duties on safe passage and immediate next-of-kin notification after shipboard incidents.
Affects: Seafarers · Families · Manning agencies · P&I
Standard Employment Contract for Overseas Fishers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 3 July 2026
Companion contract framework extending the revised protections to overseas Filipino fishers, a workforce historically covered by weaker terms than merchant seafarers.
Affects: Fishers · Manning agencies
Guidelines in the Implementation of the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Nurse at Allied Health Professional ng Bayan (SPINB) Program
Signed 2026-07-01 · Effective: Issued 1 July 2026 (effectivity per circular text)
Land-based programme circular setting the implementation guidelines for the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Nurse at Allied Health Professional ng Bayan (SPINB) programme, which places returning Filipino nurses and allied health professionals in Philippine-based health work. Logged here so the DMW Department Circular series for 2026 is complete and gap-free; it creates no sea-based entitlement and does not change seafarer contracts, deployment or certification. Read the official circular for the programme’s coverage and effectivity.
Affects: Land-based OFWs · Nurses · Allied health professionals · Recruitment agencies
Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers
Signed 2024-09-23 · Effective: 11 October 2024
The foundational statute consolidating seafarer rights: fair terms, grievance mechanisms, mandatory OWWA/SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG coverage, education standards, and the legal basis for the 2026 DMW rulebook and contract overhaul.
Affects: Seafarers · Families · Manning agencies · Schools · Government
IRR of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (RA 12021)
Signed 2025-01-08 · Effective: January 2025
Joint IRR operationalizing RA 12021 across DMW, MARINA and partner agencies — the bridge between the statute and the 2026 circulars now in force.
Affects: Seafarers · Manning agencies · Schools · Government
MISMO as the online channel for COC/COP issuance and revalidation
Effective: In force (standing)
All applications for issuance and revalidation of Certificates of Competency (COC), Certificates of Proficiency (COP) and the MARINA ID run through the MARINA Integrated Seafarer Management Online (MISMO) system. COCs are valid five years; revalidation requires a valid medical certificate from a DOH-accredited facility, proof of sea service, and applicable refresher courses.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers
Extension of the Validity of Philippine-Issued STCW Certificates of Seafarers Onboard Ships Affected by the Escalating Middle East Crisis
Signed 2026-06-30 · Effective: 30 June 2026
Relief measure for Filipino seafarers who remain onboard ships caught in the escalating Middle East / Strait of Hormuz disruption and cannot disembark to revalidate expiring certificates on schedule. MARINA extends the validity of affected Philippine-issued STCW Certificates of Competency (COC) and Certificates of Proficiency (COP) so a certificate lapsing while a seafarer is stuck onboard does not make them non-compliant for continued service. Confirm the exact extension period and covered certificate types in the official advisory before relying on it.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Manning agencies · Shipowners
Deferral of the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year 2026-2027 and Interim Admission Guidelines for MHEIs
Signed 2026-06-18 · Effective: 18 June 2026
MARINA defers the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year 2026-2027 and issues interim guidelines for how Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) admit new BSMT/BSMarE students in the meantime. Directly relevant to anyone entering a maritime degree this school year — confirm your school’s interim admission requirements and any rescheduled NaMMAT date in the official advisory.
Affects: Senior high students · College applicants · Maritime schools · Parents
Fifth Supplemental Advisory on the Contingency Measures to Address the Impact of the Middle East Crisis on the Philippine Maritime Industry
Signed 2026-07-02 · Effective: 2 July 2026
The fifth in MARINA's running series of contingency measures responding to the escalating Middle East / Strait of Hormuz crisis and its impact on the Philippine maritime industry. It updates the earlier contingency packages — which have included validity relief for the STCW certificates of seafarers stuck onboard (see Advisory 2026-30) — as the threat picture evolves. Filipino seafarers transiting or serving in the affected region should read it alongside Advisory 2026-30 and the IBF designated risk-area list; confirm the specific measures, covered areas and effective period in the official advisory before relying on it.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Manning agencies · Shipowners
Guidelines on the Classification Status and Continued Operation of Vessels Affected by the Suspension of Certificate of Accreditation of MARINA-Accredited Classification Societies
Signed 2026-07-02 · Effective: 2 July 2026
Sets out how vessels keep a valid classification status and continue operating when a MARINA-accredited classification society has its certificate of accreditation suspended. It comes with an operational framework (Annex A) and a certificate-of-extension mechanism (Annex B) so affected ships are not immediately grounded. Primarily a shipowner and flag-state measure, but relevant to seafarers because a ship's class and statutory certificates underpin its lawful, insured operation and their continued employment aboard. Confirm the covered classification societies and the extension terms in the official advisory and its annexes.
Affects: Shipowners · Operators · Flag state · Seafarers
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular Letters as of 31 May 2026
Signed 2026-07-10 · Effective: 10 July 2026
MARINA's consolidated reference digest of IMO circular letters in force as of 31 May 2026 — a catalogue for flag-state administrators and company compliance teams tracking the latest IMO guidance. Informational reference rather than a new seafarer entitlement; consult the attached list in the official advisory for the specific circular letters covered.
Affects: Flag state · Shipowners · Manning agencies · Officers
Conduct of Random Unannounced High-Level Regulatory Inspections
Signed 2026-07-21 · Effective: Issued 21 July 2026
MARINA advisory providing for the conduct of random, unannounced high-level regulatory inspections of the entities MARINA regulates. Archived within 24 hours of issuance so the 2026 MARINA Advisory series stays complete and gap-free. The official PDF is a scanned image with no machine-readable text layer, so this entry states only what the published MARINA title and issuance date confirm; the detailed scope, covered entities and consequences must be read from the source document and are deliberately not paraphrased here to avoid overstating the advisory.
Affects: MARINA-regulated maritime entities
Examination Requirement for Active Harbor Pilots Applying for a Harbor Pilot License in Another Pilotage District
Signed 2026-07-23 · Effective: Issued 23 July 2026
MARINA advisory setting the examination requirement for an active harbor pilot who applies for a harbor pilot license in another pilotage district. Archived within 24 hours of issuance so the 2026 MARINA Advisory series stays complete and gap-free. It is a domestic pilotage-licensing measure directed at harbor pilots and does not change the contracts, deployment, certification or benefits of overseas Filipino seafarers. Read the official MARINA advisory for the exact examination coverage, requirements and effectivity.
Affects: Harbor pilots · MARINA
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circulars as of 31 May 2026
Signed 2026-07-10 · Effective: 10 July 2026
MARINA's consolidated reference digest of IMO circulars in force as of 31 May 2026 — a catalogue for flag-state administrators and company compliance teams tracking the latest IMO guidance. Informational reference rather than a new seafarer entitlement; consult the attached list in the official advisory for the specific circulars covered.
Affects: Flag state · Shipowners · Manning agencies · Officers
EMSA audit of Philippine maritime education, training and certification
Effective: 24 Feb – 15 Mar 2026 (conducted)
EU inspection of MARINA, CHED, assessment centers and nine maritime schools. EU recognition of Philippine STCW certificates — on which roughly 50,000 EU-flag officer jobs depend — continues while findings are addressed. Outcome reports tracked here as they publish.
Affects: Officers · Schools · Training centers · Government
International frameworks
IMO, ILO and ITF/IBF instruments that apply on board regardless of flag — and the amendments coming down the pipeline.
Mandatory training on prevention of violence and harassment (incl. SASH) on board
Signed 2024-05-01 · Effective: 1 January 2026
New minimum STCW requirement: training and instruction on preventing and responding to sexual assault, sexual harassment, bullying and other harassment on board. Flag administrations and training providers are rolling out compliant courses now.
Affects: Seafarers · Training centers · Shipowners
Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code
Effective: Adoption expected ~2027
Full rewrite in progress at IMO's HTW Sub-Committee (HTW 12 met Feb 2026): new training standards for alternative fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, LPG, batteries, wind-assist), a new fatigue and hours-of-work workstream, and modernization of certification structure. Will reshape every maritime curriculum and certificate when adopted.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Schools · Training centers
2025 MLC amendments: shore leave without visa, strengthened repatriation, seafarers as key workers
Signed 2025-06-06 · Effective: Expected December 2027
The most far-reaching MLC package since 2013: shore leave without visas or special permits and without discrimination by flag; repatriation duties clarified to cover travel, food, accommodation, medical care and up to 30 kg of luggage; recognition of seafarers as key workers; stronger protection against violence and harassment.
Affects: Seafarers · Shipowners · Port states
IBF List of Designated Risk Areas with applicable benefits
Signed 2026-08-06 · Effective: Agreed 6 August 2026, extended until 10 September 2026
The controlling list of Warlike Operations Areas, High-Risk Areas and Extended Risk Zones under IBF collective agreements, defining where the war bonus (100% of basic wage, minimum 5 days in a WOA), doubled death and disability compensation, and the right to refuse to sail apply. The 6 August 2026 list is extended as a document until 10 September 2026; individual designation windows differ (D1–D6 in force to 25 September 2026; D7–D10 to 10 September 2026). Always verify the live list before transit.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Shipowners · Manning agencies
STCW Convention and Code, 2010 Manila Amendments
Signed 2010-06-25 · Effective: In force since 2012 (baseline)
The current global baseline for seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping — the framework every COC/COP, refresher requirement and MARINA circular hangs from, and the object of the ongoing comprehensive review.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Schools · Flag states
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (the seafarers' bill of rights)
Signed 2006-02-23 · Effective: In force since 2013 (baseline)
Minimum working and living standards at sea: employment agreements, wages, rest hours, accommodation, food, medical care, repatriation and complaint procedures. The 2025 amendment package (see entry above) is its largest update since entry into force.
Affects: Seafarers · Shipowners · Flag states · Port states
How the Registry works
- Every entry links the official source text; summaries are Eagle's plain-language reading, not a substitute for the document itself.
- In force = applies today. Upcoming = adopted with a future effectivity. Monitoring = a live process that can change the rules. Baseline = the standing framework everything else amends.
- Something missing or wrong? Tell us via the contact page — corrections are acknowledged and dated.
The Registry is general information for the maritime community, not legal advice. Verify requirements against the official issuance and your own contract, CBA and flag-state rules before acting. — Eagle Intelligence Unit