In celebration of National Maritime Week and World Maritime Day, United Marine Training Center (UMTC) proudly staged the Philippines' first-ever Weld of Excellence: Ship Fitter Competition, an initiative to shine the spotlight on ship fitters — the often-unsung heroes whose skills ensure vessels remain safe, strong, and seaworthy.
Ship fitters play a crucial role in the maritime industry, combining craftsmanship, technical knowledge, and precision to keep ships in top condition. Through this competition, UMTC aimed to honor its major contribution to global shipping, while inspiring the next generation of welders and fitters to pursue excellence in their craft.
A Collaboration Forged in Excellence
The event also marked a significant milestone - the official launch of the UMTC x Unitor Welding School, making UMTC the exclusive training partner of Unitor in the Philippines, joining a proud network of welding schools that tor has established worldwide since the 1930s. The school will serve as a platform to raise industry standards, enhance safety in hot work operations, and provide Filipino seafarers with access to world-class training equipment and methods.
L-R: [Standing] Marlon Ilagan (WSS Key Accounts Manager), Romel John Cabrera (UMTC Workshop Section Head), 2/E Vera Dadula (UMTC Engine & Culinary Dept, Head), Roy Akker (UMTC Academic Quality and Development Advisor), [seated] Chris Teoh (WSS Senior Product Manager), and Donald Bautista (UMTC Managing Director)
Messages of Support and Inspiration
The competition opened with remarks from UMTC's Head of Engine Department, 2/E Vera Dadula, who played a vital role in ensuring the technical readiness of the event, together with the Workshop Training Section led by Mr. Romel Cabrera. Their combined efforts ensured that every detail, from facilities to procedures, was in place.
UMTC’s Managing Director, Donald Bautista, also graced the occasion with an inspiring message, highlighting UMTC’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence in maritime training. He underscored the vital role of ship fitters onboard and the very purpose of this competition, saying:
“This is the reason why we would like to do this [ship fitter competition] — for us to be able to show the world that ship fitters, welding and machining skills, truly matter.”
Adding to this, Chris Teoh, Senior Product Manager at Wilhelmsen Ships Service, shared empowering words on the significance of ship fitters and the partnership’s mission to strengthen ship fitting skills in the Philippines. He stressed their shared vision: to raise the standard of maritime hot work, empower seafarers for the future, and ensure that every spark at sea is guided by knowledge, competence, and safety.
A Test of Skill and Craftsmanship
The competition consisted of two rigorous stages designed to challenge the participants' technical expertise:
1. Welding Process - where contestants showcased their precision and mastery of techniques.
2. Lathe Machine Operation - which tested their adaptability and versatility in ship fitting.
The participants displayed passion and determination, namely: Robert Balcuba, Ronaldo Perez, Jayson Gardoze, but in the end, three individuals emerged as the brightest:
- Champion: Jurez Oliquino
- 1st Runner Up: Mariel Sandoval
- 2nd Runner Up: John Michael Vales
L-R: Ronaldo Perez (NYK-Fil Shipmanagement Inc.), Mariel Sandoval (Marlow Navogation), Jurez Oliquino (Solstad Offshore), John Michael Vales (Marlow Navigation), Robert Balcuba (NYK-Fil Shipmanagement Inc.), and Jayson Garodze (Marlow Navigation)
Recognizing Excellence in Judging
The credibility of the competition was upheld by a distinguished panel of judges:
Galileo Santos, Windell Cadiente, Jesus Luna, and Mario Powao. UMTC extends its heartfelt appreciation to them for lending their expertise, fairness, and time in evaluating the performances, ensuring that every result reflected true merit.
Moving Forward
The Weld of Excellence: Ship Fitter Competition is more than just an event; it is a tribute to the ship fitters who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep vessels safe and the maritime industry moving forward.
This initiative reflects UMTC's commitment to creating platforms that highlight vital yet often overlooked roles within the maritime workforce.
With the support of Wilhelmsen Ships Service, UMTC looks forward to more activities that empower Filipino welders and ship fitters to take pride in their craft, raise the bar for safety and skills, and enhance their contributions to the global shipping industry.