The Philippines has proposed developing a dedicated mobile application for seafarers to provide emergency assistance and government support, as maritime authorities respond to growing concerns about safety at sea.
The initiative was presented by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) during a recent high-level meeting of the 4th Steering Committee of the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) Platform in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 9 to 11.
The proposal comes amid heightened attention on risks faced by seafarers navigating global shipping routes affected by piracy, armed conflict, and geopolitical tensions.
According to MARINA Enforcement Service Director Luisito Delos Santos, the planned application is intended to create a direct communication channel between seafarers and government authorities.
He said the system would support the rapid dissemination of critical advisories and allow mariners to report emergencies while at sea.
“The initiative was prompted by the increasing security challenges confronting seafarers operating in areas affected by piracy, armed conflict, geopolitical tensions, and other maritime threats,” Delos Santos said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
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Mitigating rising maritime risks through technology
The proposal reflects broader concerns raised by the Philippine delegation during the meeting, which highlighted recent disruptions in the Red Sea and other high-risk maritime corridors.
Officials noted that seafarers are often among the first affected by such incidents, yet may have limited access to timely information or direct assistance while at sea.
Under the proposed system, the app would provide navigational advisories, maritime security updates, and welfare-related information.
It would also include emergency reporting functions, allowing users to alert authorities in real time when incidents occur.
The MARINA official added that the platform would enable seafarers to communicate directly with relevant government agencies when urgent assistance is required, thereby reducing response delays and improving coordination during maritime emergencies.
EU backs proposal to boost regional security
The proposal received support from the European Union (EU) Critical Maritime Routes programme, which focuses on strengthening maritime security and improving information sharing across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The programme has been working with regional partners to enhance cooperation in addressing shared maritime risks.
Alongside the app proposal, participants at the Mombasa meeting also discussed wider efforts to improve regional coordination on maritime safety.
These included information-sharing mechanisms between maritime authorities and security agencies, particularly in response to evolving threats in key global shipping lanes.
Manila champions digital transformation in seafaring
The Philippines has also been advancing its own digitalisation efforts in the maritime sector.
MARINA is currently implementing electronic certification systems for seafarers as part of a broader shift towards digital governance aligned with international maritime standards.
Taken together, these initiatives point to a growing emphasis on digital tools in maritime safety policy.
For the Philippines, a major supplier of global seafarers, the proposal underscores the increasing role of technology in addressing the practical and security challenges faced by those working at sea.
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Diana Mae Y. Cleto 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
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