Crew Connect Global 2026 Set to Tackle Future of Maritime Crewing in Manila This October

## Crew Connect Global 2026 to Convene in Manila This October Seatrade Maritime has announced that Crew Connect Global 2026 will take place from 20–22 October at the Shangri-La The Fort in Manila, Philippines, positioning the event once again at the heart of the global maritime crewing community. According to Seatrade Maritime, the conference will bring together senior industry leaders, crewing managers, seafarer welfare advocates, and maritime HR professionals to examine the future of maritime crewing through a series of high-level discussions and what organisers describe as 'groundbreaking insights.' Manila serves as a fitting host city for the event. The Philippines remains the world's single largest supplier of seafarers, providing an estimated 25–30% of the global maritime workforce. Holding the conference in the country underscores the strategic importance of the Filipino seafarer community to international shipping operations. The maritime crewing sector continues to face a complex set of challenges heading into the latter half of the decade. Workforce shortages, the accelerating transition to alternative fuels and new vessel technologies, evolving flag state and port state regulatory requirements, and growing emphasis on seafarer mental health and welfare are all expected to feature prominently on the agenda. The conference format is designed to facilitate direct dialogue between shipowners, ship managers, crewing agencies, training institutions, and policymakers — stakeholders whose coordinated efforts are increasingly critical as the industry navigates a period of significant operational and regulatory change. Crew Connect Global has established itself as one of the premier dedicated forums for maritime human resources and crewing professionals. The 2026 edition is expected to build on previous years by incorporating forward-looking sessions on digitalisation of crew management, competency frameworks for alternative-fuel vessels, and strategies for attracting the next generation of seafarers to the profession. Full programme details and registration information are available through Seatrade Maritime's official event channels. Industry professionals are advised to register early given the event's profile and the limited capacity of focused conference formats. *Source: Seatrade Maritime*