CEBU, Philippines – A Cebuano maritime executive has been named one of the world’s most influential leaders in the global port and shipping industry, coinciding with the Philippines’ resurgence as the top supplier of maritime manpower.
Capt. Rodien E. Paca, a former international ship captain and now CEO of eight port and logistics firms, ranked third on the 2025 Who’s Who in Global Maritime Leadership list—an exceptional global distinction for a Filipino.
Recognized for his pioneering contributions in ship management, floating ship repair, port manpower strategy, and the integration of AI in logistics systems, Paca has become a leading voice in Southeast Asia’s evolving maritime sector.
“This honor isn’t just mine. It’s for the entire Filipino maritime community,” said Paca, who hails from Naga City, Cebu.
The recognition comes at a pivotal time. According to Paca, the Philippines has regained its title as the world’s top supplier of maritime manpower, driven by geopolitical disruptions and a renewed preference for Filipino seafarers.
“COVID helped us. Nobody wanted to hire Chinese crew anymore because of quarantine concerns. And when the war in Ukraine broke out, it sidelined the Russians and Ukrainians—our two biggest competitors,” he said in an interview. “Filipinos became the safest and most reliable choice for many shipping lines.”
The country had earlier lost its lead between 2013 and 2015 when China surged ahead by leveraging shipping contracts tied to Chinese crews. “They owned the cargos and would charter ships on the condition of using Chinese crew,” Paca recalled.
But with global dynamics shifting, Filipino seafarers are now not only dominant on deck—they’re moving into boardrooms.
“During my time, we were just mid-level workers,” said Paca, who also holds a PhD in shipping strategy and lectures globally on port automation. “Now, Filipinos are managing fleets, running operations, even owning ships. I’m teaching in Europe what used to be taught only by Westerners.”
He pointed to the increasing number of Filipinos in executive roles in logistics firms across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Yet Paca warned that dominance in manpower alone is not enough. “Shipping is not just about seafarers—it’s about ports, cargo, and connectivity,” he said. “If we don’t invest in automation and smart port technologies, we’ll miss the next wave of growth.”
Paca’s rise from a deck cadet to global port strategist—armed with an MBA and PhD —underscores the potential of Filipino talent in shaping the future of global maritime trade.
As a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)-certified port lecturer, he has represented the country in over 17 years of knowledge-sharing across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Beyond logistics, he leads with purpose. An active member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Paca is known for promoting values-based leadership in the workplace.
“The world is watching us again,” Paca said. “It’s time we showed them that Filipino excellence goes beyond manpower—it extends to leadership, innovation, and global strategy.”
Business News Asia