The study sought to identify and analyze the gaps in the recruitment and selection process of domestic shipping companies when it comes to female seafarer employment. Specifically, it determined the willingness of the domestic shipping companies in employing women and gathered information on their current employment policies and practices. The study also identified the challenges faced by women when applying for employment onboard domestic vessels. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire and an interview guide. All accredited domestic shipping companies/corporations under MARINA Circular 2006-03 in the year 2018, members of the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA), members of the Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA), as well as female seafarers working onboard domestic vessels were considered as respondents of the study.

The study found out that most of the domestic shipping companies are willing to employ women seafarers, however, certain gaps have been identified, such as limiting female employment to the deck department and/or steward department only; employing them in passenger vessels than in any other type of vessel; and the belief of ship owners and/or ship managers that women are not strong enough emotionally and physically leading to the tendency of typically preferring males over females even when both undergo a recruitment and selection process. Interestingly though, most of the female seafarers who reported that they were able to get shipboard employment without any difficulty was because of school tie-ups or family connections in the shipping industry. Included in the study recommendations are for implementing agencies to take the lead in gender-sensitizing the maritime academic curricula and training programs of the country; to encourage shipping companies to establish women-friendly policies; to strictly monitor and implement provisions of the MLC 2006 in domestic shipping; and to strengthen the link between maritime schools and shipping companies.