Philippines, EU, Japan, and U.S. enhance maritime cooperation

The Philippines is advancing strategic maritime partnerships through both regulatory and security initiatives. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) met with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) to discuss elevating maritime standards and supporting Filipino seafarers. During the talks, MARINA presented its Master Plan for Maritime Education, Training, and Certification (METC), designed to modernize national training systems under the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

In a separate security development, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. The five-day exercise focused on tactical interoperability, maritime domain awareness, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.