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Philippine maritime attaché to the International Maritime Organization Sharon Aledo was elected chair of the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping
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First time that the Philippines – the world’s top source of seafarers – is holding the HTW chairmanship
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MARINA said this reinforces the country’s standing as one of the world’s leading maritime nations and affirms the international community’s confidence in Filipino leadership in advancing the human element in global shipping
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Aledo will hold the position until the next vote at the 13th Session of the HTW next year
Philippine maritime attaché to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Atty. Sharon Aledo has been elected as the new chair of the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW).
This is the first time that the Philippines – the world’s top source of seafarers – is holding the chairmanship for the IMO subcommittee that deals with the human side of shipping, including training and certification; review, updating and revision of IMO model courses; and guidance addressing issues such as fatigue.
With a vote of 53 counts, Aledo prevailed over the United States’ Captain Cathleen Burns Mauro, who received 27 votes during the last day of the 12th Session of the HTW (HTW 12), which was held from February 23-27 at the IMO Headquarters in London.
Aledo will hold the position until the next vote for chairmanship at the 13th Session of the HTW next year.
“This landmark victory reinforces the Philippines’ standing as one of the world’s leading maritime nations and affirms the international community’s confidence in Filipino leadership in advancing the human element in global shipping,” the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said in a statement.
MARINA noted that the HTW plays a critical role in shaping global standards on seafarer training, certification, and watchkeeping under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) — directly impacting maritime safety and the welfare of seafarers worldwide.
READ: IMO, PH: Seafarer training must keep up with ship modernization
HTW 12 advances the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code to ensure that global standards for seafarer training and certification remain responsive to emerging technologies, alternative fuels, automation, and digitalization.
Aside from winning the chairmanship, the Philippines, through the delegation from MARINA, actively advanced key reforms on seafarer training, green shipping safety, and crew welfare during the HTW 12.
The country actively advanced nine proposals on seafarer training standards, green shipping safety, and fatigue regulations.
Specifically, the Philippines submitted eight co-sponsored proposals under the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code to modernize global standards on training, certification, and watchkeeping, ensuring they remain responsive to rapid technological developments in shipping.
The country also contributed to discussions on maritime decarbonization by submitting one co-sponsored paper supporting the development of safety and competency standards for ships using alternative fuels and emerging propulsion systems.
READ: IMO calls for fast rollout of seafarer training on clean energy, new tech
In addition, MARINA co-sponsored one paper seeking to strengthen fatigue regulations and provisions on seafarers’ hours of work and rest, underscoring the link between crew welfare and maritime safety.
With more than 200 papers being deliberated at HTW 12, outcomes will be elevated to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee for further consideration.—Roumina Pablo
