Sailing with Integrity
88 Aces Maritime Services stands as a premier Marine HR provider in Manila, rooted in a proud legacy of excellence as part of Scorpio, which has over seven decades of dedication to world-class shipping. Since its founding in 2018, 88 Aces has committed to the highest standards in crew management, seafarer training, and welfare support, fostering a skilled, reliable workforce to meet the evolving demands of the global maritime industry. With a team that oversees more than 70 vessels and an extensive network of over 2,000 qualified seafarers, 88 Aces is also dedicated to the well-being of its seafarers and their families, providing essential support and resources to strengthen their lives at sea and at home. This dedication makes 88 Aces a trusted partner in delivering first-rate maritime talent and care for international shipping needs.
Our vision is to be a pioneer in Filipino Marine Human Resources and in the career management of Filipino seafarers. We aim to provide exceptional service in the selection and deployment of seafarers within diverse, multicultural environments. We aim to be recognized worldwide as a dependable, efficient manning agency, delivering outstanding quality that consistently exceeds our clients’ expectations.
Our mission is to provide top quality maritime officers and crew who meet the highest international standards. Through a combination of in-house programs and partnerships with expert training centers, we offer comprehensive education designed to enhance seafarers’ knowledge, skills, and adaptability to industry advancements. By promoting open communication, we strengthen the relationships between seafarers and stakeholders. At 88 Aces, the care and well-being of both our sea and shore staff are paramount. We are dedicated to supporting the well-being of seafarers and their families through welfare programs that foster both personal and professional development, and we are equally committed to cultivating responsible and professional shore-based personnel.
We believe in the honorable ideals of seafaring and shipping; those, alongside our high business and ethical standards, and values, are embodied in all our endeavors.
Honesty, ethics, and strong moral principles are fundamental to our business. Through our culture, policies, training programs, and procedural checks that we build around compliance, our goal is to achieve the highest industry standards.
We believe that working with other companies and professional disciplines with diverse backgrounds, and cultures, makes for better business decisions and a stronger organization.
Diversity and openness – the free exchange of ideas – are critical to our success and to our organization as a place for personal and professional development – by encouraging it we aspire to contribute positively to the industry.
We take pride in our responsibility to stakeholders—employees, customers, shareholders, and society—applying the greatest care to preserve their trust.
For our staff and crew, we maintain a safe, respectful working environment, both offshore and onshore. We meet customer expectations by delivering products securely and efficiently. For banks and investors, we fulfil financial obligations with transparency. Lastly, for the broader society, we utilize strict procedures and industry best practices to ensure safe, incident-free transportation on fuel efficient vessels.
We challenge ourselves to move quickly, creatively, and take risks and pursue new opportunities to achieve long-term, risk adjusted returns. Our energetic, ambitious, and innovative company culture fuels our bold approach for success.
Captain Cris Blas is a highly experienced maritime professional with over 21 years of sea-going service, including 7 years as a Master Mariner aboard oil and chemical tanker vessels. He holds a Master’s degree in Maritime Administration, specializing in Shipping and Ship Manning Business, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Maritime Administration. His expertise extends beyond seafaring into leadership roles, including Marine Superintendent, Port Captain, and President/General Manager of 88 Aces Maritime Services Inc., where he manages 70 vessels under international principals. Capt. Blas is well-versed in ship auditing, vetting inspections, and maritime operations, with a proven ability to build cohesive teams and align organizational objectives. His extensive training includes ISO auditing, advanced crew management, and resilience training, and he is an active member of several professional maritime and civic organizations. His leadership and technical skills continue to make significant contributions to the maritime industry.
Paolo Chilemme is the Owner’s Representative, managing a poll of 2000 Filipino Seafarers for 88 Aces and third party Owned vessels. With 32 years of experience in the shipping industry, including 24 years specializing in Safety, Quality, and Environmental (SQE) functions, Paolo Chilemme is a highly skilled HSQE Superintendent and Marine Internal Auditor. He holds a Diploma as an Electronic Expert from the Technical Institute L.Trafelli in Rome and has furthered his expertise with Shipping & Transport studies at Proteus Shipping College in Piraeus. His extensive career includes previous roles as a DPA, CSO, and Trainer with a strong focus on human factors, crew welfare, and safety culture development. His adaptability, strong communication skills, and eagerness to embrace new challenges make him a valuable asset. Passionate about continuous learning and improvement, he remains committed to upholding the highest standards in the industry.
Captain Frankie L. Festin is a seasoned maritime professional beginning his seafaring journey in 1996, he has accumulated extensive global experience serving on Chemical and Oil Product Tankers trading worldwide. He sailed through the ranks and served as Master Mariner from 2017 to 2026, commanding vessels with a strong focus on safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.
His expertise extends beyond ship command, having served in key leadership roles such as Port Captain, where he conducted vessel inspections, onboard safety training, and ensured vessel readiness for vetting inspections. As a recognized maritime facilitator, he contributes significantly to the professional development and operational preparedness of seafarers through high‑standard training and mentorship, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to safety and ethical conduct.
Dedicated, disciplined, and committed to maritime excellence, Captain Frankie continues to uphold the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and strengthening operational performance across the fleet.
Chief Engineer Mark Morilla is an accomplished Technical Manager with extensive knowledge in engine room operations and project engineering. He combines strong technical expertise with proven leadership skills, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant vessel operations.
From 2021 to 2026, he served as Chief Engineer on Crude Oil and Oil/Chemical tanker vessels, gaining substantial experience in supervising multinational crews and maintaining high standards of machinery reliability and operational performance. Throughout his career, he has consistently upheld international safety, environmental, and company standards, particularly in preparation for various inspections and audits.
Prior to his current position, he also served as a Project Engineer, maintaining close communication with the main office in Athens, in coordination with the Manila office, addressing technical issues arising onboard and provide support in resolving operational and machinery-related concerns.
In addition, he conducted training and familiarization for engine officers and crew on Oil Record Book (ORB) Part I, PMS/NSE Familiarization, Fuel changeover operations, and sewage logbook documentation. By company request, he also boarded vessels to conduct company-specific technical inspections and provide operational and technical support to shipboard teams.
