Navigating Maritime & Trade Challenges: Key Insights from the Joint Maritime Committee Meeting for March

The Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) successfully held its March session on 27 March 2025 at German Club Manila, bringing together industry leaders, maritime professionals, and stakeholders for an engaging discussion on the EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement Updates and the Potential Consequences of Recent Political Developments on the Business Community. This timely session provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of maritime policies, trade relations, and geopolitical shifts that impact businesses in the Philippines and beyond.

A key highlight of the event was the discussion led by Mr. Tore Henriksen, Chairperson of the Joint Maritime Committee, on the Magna Carta for Seafarers in the Philippines. He underscored the significance of this landmark legislation, which aims to strengthen the rights, welfare, and working conditions of Filipino seafarers—the backbone of the global maritime industry. Mr. Henriksen elaborated on the proposed framework’s impact on employment standards, legal protections, and the competitiveness of the Philippine maritime workforce in the international market.

Meanwhile, Mr. Julio Amador III, Executive Director of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation, tackled Philippine Critical Infrastructure in the Time of Geopolitics. He examined how recent geopolitical developments, including regional tensions and shifting alliances, influence national security, trade stability, and economic resilience. Mr. Amador provided a strategic outlook on how businesses can adapt to these changes, emphasizing the need for proactive risk management and policy engagement.

This insightful session fostered meaningful discussions, equipping attendees with a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We would like to thank everyone who joined and contributed to the dynamic exchange of ideas.

The Joint Maritime Committee Meeting is a collaboration between the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (DCCP), the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCIFP), the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. (ICCPI), the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (NordCham), and the Philippines Norway Business Council (PNBC).