Anglo-Eastern hosts Manila Conference 2026, showcasing Group’s capabilities and commitment to Filipino seafarers

Anglo-Eastern Univan Group hosted its landmark crew conference in Manila earlier this month (10-12 February), bringing together approximately 600 Filipino officers and ratings, valued clients, and senior leaders from across the globe. The event showcased Anglo-Eastern’s evolving capabilities and its ongoing commitment to partners and seafarers on display, anchored by the theme of ‘Delivering Excellence’ fused with local inspiration from ‘the Balangay’, the Philippines oldest seafaring vessel.

Kicking off the main event at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bjorn Hojgaard, Anglo-Eastern’s Chief Executive Officer, remarked: “While the world changes, the fundamentals of good shipping do not change. Our focus remains the same – prepare people as much as ships.”

Mr Hojgaard noted that while Anglo‑Eastern manages hundreds of vessels and deploys tens of thousands of seafarers each year, it is not scale that defines the organisation, but its standards, culture, and way of operating. Reaffirming that “the ocean is not just our workplace, it is our responsibility,” he highlighted the Group’s aspiration for a zero‑detention fleet — “not perfection for vanity’s sake, but discipline for safety’s sake.”

“What sets Anglo-Eastern apart is doing a proper job every day — our DNA is sustainable excellence.” Mr Hojgaard also paid tribute to the Philippines as one of the world’s great seafaring nations and commended Filipino seafarers for their skill, teamwork, humility, and work ethic.

The conference featured keynotes and presentations from Guest of Honour, Hon Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) who was represented by Atty Jerome T. Pampolina, Assistant Secretary for the Philippine’s Seabased Division of the DMW, as well as senior leaders from across Anglo-Eastern who reflected on how people, partnership, and technology are driving performance alongside approaches that have been adapted to more greatly resonate with local talent. 

With nearly 40 years of engagement in the Philippines, Anglo-Eastern’s presence has grown and has been recognised with the Presidential Award of Excellence — the highest national honour in this field.

The conference agenda also featured the grand opening of Anglo-Eastern’s new Philippines base located in 8912 Asean Avenue Building. The office brings together Anglo-Eastern’s Manila-based entities including Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre, Manila (AEMTC Manila). It is designed to support modern ways of working while creating tighter cohesion between crewing and training departments to ensure that every seafarer is equipped with the technical competence, safety mindset and professionalism that the Anglo-Eastern name represents.

The 2026 edition of Anglo-Eastern’s Manila Conference was a showcase of the Group’s capabilities and demonstrated how it is continuously evolving to shape a sustainable maritime industry.