MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA) has welcomed 208 new cadets for Academic Year 2026, recording its highest ever intake of female students.
The new class includes 103 deck cadets and 105 engine cadets, with women making up 17 deck cadets and 14 engine cadets. This latest cohort brings the cumulative number of female cadets admitted to the academy since its establishment to over 100.
The Manila-based institution is jointly operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC). The proportion of female recruits at the facility has grown steadily, with current numbers reaching approximately five times that of the inaugural intake.
The increase in female recruits coincides with widespread labour shortages across the international shipping sector. To build a sustainable workforce, parent company MOL has set an internal target to raise its female cadet ratio to 35 per cent by 2035.
MMMA functions as a core training platform for the group, featuring modern simulation equipment and practical training curricula designed to prepare students for global maritime careers.
Through its ongoing educational programs, MMMA aims to maintain a steady pipeline of qualified seafarers to support long-term operations across the international shipping industry.
