LONDON — The Philippine maritime sector scored a major diplomatic victory with the election of Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo as the new Chair of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training, and Watchkeeping (HTW).
The election, held at the IMO headquarters, saw the Philippines’ Maritime Attaché secure a decisive 53 votes, prevailing over the United States’ candidate, Captain Cathleen Burns Mauro.
The HTW Sub-Committee is one of the most influential bodies within the IMO. It is responsible for the “human element” of shipping—the technical and regulatory standards that ensure the world’s 1.9 million seafarers are properly trained and fit for duty.
Under Atty. Aledo’s leadership, the sub-committee will oversee the critical updating of the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) to ensure global compliance. This mandate further extends to the development of universal maritime education curricula and the creation of robust frameworks to address seafarer fatigue, mental health, and comprehensive safety protocols on the high seas.
The win is being hailed as a “landmark victory” by industry observers, signaling a shift in influence toward major labor-supplying nations. As the Philippines remains one of the world’s largest providers of certified seafarers, the appointment places a Filipino voice at the helm of the very body that dictates their professional standards.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) noted that the result reflects the international community’s growing confidence in the Philippines’ ability to lead complex maritime negotiations and safeguard the welfare of the global maritime workforce.
“This victory reinforces the Philippines’ standing as a leading maritime nation and affirms our commitment to advancing the human element in global shipping.”
Atty. Aledo’s term comes at a critical juncture as the maritime industry grapples with the transition to green fuels and digitalized “smart” ships—shifts that will require an overhaul of existing training and certification frameworks.