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Japan's Ministry of Transportation has selected a second group of Filipino seafarers to serve on international ships under Japanese registry.
The first group of 48, approved in January, are now working onboard container ships operated by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Mitsui OSK Lines(MOL).
Ninety-six candidates took the tests of the ministry's qualifying examination held in Manila last month. The latest group of 57, comprises ten
first mates, nine second mates, nine third mates, eight first engineers, 11 second engineers and ten third engineers.
Amended in May 1999, Japan's Ship Officers Law now allows qualified foreign seafarers to crew Japanese flag vessels for the purpose of reducing
operational costs.
The 3,618 TEU "Kaga" of NYK and MOL's 2,020 TEU "Southern Cross Maru" were among the first vessels to start operating under the new system last March following an agreement with a Japanese seamen's union.
The two ships have only two Japanese officers each -- the captain and chief engineer -- while foreigners make up the rest of the crew, mainly Filipinos.
It is understood that the second group of Filipino officers who passed Japan's transport qualifying exams will be taken by Japan's major lines.
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