NordCham Pays Courtesy Visit to the Maritime Industry Authority

Axel Fries, Executive Director of NordCham, paid a courtesy visit to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on June 3, 2026, reinforcing the longstanding maritime partnership between the Nordic region and the Philippines.

NordCham expressed its appreciation to Samuel L. Batalla, Executive Director of STCW, and his team for warmly welcoming Axel during the meeting.

As leading maritime nations, the Nordics and the Philippines have maintained extensive collaboration in the maritime sector for decades. Today, hundreds of thousands of Filipino seafarers continue to serve aboard Nordic vessels, highlighting the strong and enduring ties between the two regions.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to learn more about MARINA’s mandates and discuss potential areas of collaboration between NordCham and MARINA. Both parties explored initiatives aimed at supporting and improving the maritime sector in the Philippines.