NL
ENInland shipping & maritime
Filipino maritime professionals for inland shipping and maritime roles
The Philippines is one of the largest sources of maritime crew worldwide, with a regulated education and certification system and a long tradition of international crewing. SkillShift recruits and screens candidates for operational maritime roles and European inland shipping.
Because seagoing and inland shipping involve different skills, certificates and regulation, we assess per candidate and per vacancy which experience actually applies to the intended role.
Why the Philippines for this sector?
Established maritime labour market
The Philippines has supplied a large share of the world's merchant navy crew for decades and has a well-developed maritime education infrastructure.
MARINA-regulated education
Maritime education and certification are regulated by the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), aligned with international STCW frameworks.
STCW-oriented training
Many candidates have completed education and training aligned with international STCW standards for seafarers.
International crewing experience
Candidates often have experience in international crews and English-language working environments on board.
Seagoing and European inland navigation are not the same
Seagoing and European inland navigation are not the same. Experience, certificates and regulation differ substantially between international seagoing and European inland shipping. SkillShift therefore assesses per placement which experience is genuinely relevant to the intended role, rather than treating it as interchangeable.
Role profiles
- Sailors
- Ordinary seamen
- Deck crew
- Operational maritime personnel
- Helmsmen and higher roles, only where qualifications allow
Training and international experience
Candidates are generally trained within the Philippine maritime education system and may have experience on different vessel types, in various international waters and crewing structures.
What we assess
- Sea service
- Vessel type
- Rank/role
- Actual duties and responsibilities
- STCW documentation where relevant
- Safety certificates
- The intended inland-shipping role
- Local qualification requirements
How SkillShift supports
- Feasibility assessment
- Recruitment and sourcing
- Screening and document checks
- Interviews
- Documentation and certificate checks
- Permits
- DMW documentation and pre-departure requirements
- Relocation
- Optional housing
- Onboarding
- Aftercare
Which parts SkillShift carries out depends on the agreed scope of service.
DMW documentation and pre-departure requirements
Whether a placement is treated as a seagoing or a land-based role under the DMW framework depends on the actual deployment and is assessed per case, not assumed in advance.
Netherlands and Belgium
Working in the Netherlands or Belgium
The available route depends on the country, the role and the applicable permit framework. SkillShift assesses each vacancy individually.
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands
For inland-shipping roles, the applicable permit route is assessed per vacancy. Additional Dutch qualification requirements can apply, even with relevant foreign seagoing experience.
BELGIUM
Belgium
Inland-shipping and maritime roles are subject to specific navigation qualifications and permit requirements. SkillShift assesses this per vacancy, depending on the role and region.
Frequently asked questions
Is seagoing experience usable for European inland shipping?
This depends on vessel type, role and certificates. SkillShift assesses this per candidate; seagoing and inland-shipping experience are not automatically interchangeable.
Are STCW certificates sufficient for an inland-shipping role?
Not automatically. STCW certification is internationally recognised for seagoing, but inland shipping has its own qualification requirements assessed separately.
Does SkillShift also recruit helmsmen and senior maritime roles?
This is possible, but only where the candidate's qualifications and documentation genuinely support it.
How is the DMW classification of a maritime candidate determined?
This depends on the actual nature of the deployment and is assessed per case, not set as a standard in advance.
We are a staffing or secondment provider. Can SkillShift support us too?
Yes, in most cases we can. A staffing or secondment structure is usually more complex than direct employment because the employment relationship, client agreements, immigration route and Philippine DMW documentation and pre-departure requirements must fit together correctly. SkillShift assesses the proposed structure in advance and can help set up and coordinate the process where it is legally and practically feasible.
Discuss a vacancy
Looking for this type of professional?
SkillShift assesses the vacancy, sector-specific requirements and the applicable route before recruitment starts.