Maersk wants Filipino captains for its ships

MANILA, Philippines – Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk is poised to replace about 100 of their Danish captains with Filipinos as the firm expressed its deep satisfaction with the proficiency, skill and discipline of Filipino seafarers, an embassy report said.

The Philippine Embassy in Norway said in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Philippine Ambassador to Oslo Elizabeth Buensuceso met with officials from the A.P. Moller-Maersk group of companies, one of the biggest and most respected names in the world in the area of container shipping and logistics, energy exploration and production, ship-building, retail and manufacturing.

In the course of their discussions, A.P. Moller-Maersk director for recruitment Leif Nielsen informed Buensuceso that their company is extremely satisfied with the proficiency, skill and discipline of Filipino seafarers and that despite the global economic crisis, crewing of Filipino seamen has not slackened.

Buensuceso said she was informed that the company is ready to replace itsDanish captains with Filipinos.

The company also plans to relocate its logistical operations in Singapore in 2010 making it easier for Filipino workers to find employment and relocate their training centers for their worldwide logistics requirements in Manila.

Buensuceso presented her credentials to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at the historic Fredensborg Castle in Copenhagen last Oct. 16.

During her audience, Buensuceso discussed with the queen the economic relations between their two countries. Queen Margrethe II expressed her sympathies for the victims of the twin typhoons and sent her best wishes to President Arroyo.

In the course of their discussions, A.P. Moller-Maersk director for recruitment Leif Nielsen informed Buensuceso that their company is extremely satisfied with the proficiency, skill and discipline of Filipino seafarers and that despite the global economic crisis, crewing of Filipino seamen has not slackened.

Buensuceso said she was informed that the company is ready to replace itsDanish captains with Filipinos.

The company also plans to relocate its logistical operations in Singapore in 2010 making it easier for Filipino workers to find employment and relocate their training centers for their worldwide logistics requirements in Manila.

Buensuceso presented her credentials to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at the historic Fredensborg Castle in Copenhagen last Oct. 16.

During her audience, Buensuceso discussed with the queen the economic relations between their two countries. Queen Margrethe II expressed her sympathies for the victims of the twin typhoons and sent her best wishes to President Arroyo. -=-Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)