Demand for Filipino seafarers and officers has started to increase following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, says a major Greek crewing agent.

Amid war, repatriation and crew exchange problems affecting Ukrainian personnel, shipowners are looking for alternative short-term solutions, said Panos Zalachoris, chairman of Status Maritime.

“Owners using Ukrainians are turning towards other nationalities, Filipinos being the first priority,” said Zalachoris, whose company has a database of more than 7,000 Filipino seafarers and officers.