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 Crisando Soniega Blas
President and General Manager
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.
Captain Rolando Ouano
Ombudsman and Board Director
Captain Rolando C. Ouano is a seasoned maritime professional with a distinguished career spanning several decades. He currently serves as Ombudsman and Board Director at 88 Aces Maritime Services Inc. and Optimum, where he ensures the welfare of seafarers and upholds compliance with maritime standards. A graduate of Concord Technical Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, Capt. Ouano has extensive experience as a Master Mariner on oil and chemical tankers, having held this role from 2005 to 2015.
In his leadership roles, Capt. Ouano specializes in ISM, ISPS, MLC audits, and safety management, contributing to operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. His expertise includes conducting internal audits, vessel inspections, and safety training. His dedication to the maritime industry is also reflected in his involvement in training and mentoring the next generation of maritime professionals. Captain Ouano’s work ensures high standards of safety, security, and welfare in the shipping industry.
Ricardo C. Agar Jr.
Technical Training Manager and Board Director
Chief Engineer Ricardo C. Agar Jr. is the Technical Training Manager and Board Director at 88 Aces Maritime Services, where he has served since 2017. A graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy with a BA in Marine Engineering (Class of 1988), Ricardo brings over 30 years of experience in the maritime industry, including 20 years as Chief Marine Engineer on various vessel types, such as bulk ships, oil/chemical tankers, and LPG carriers. He has extensive experience preparing vessels for special surveys, dry dockings, and new ship deliveries.
As Port Marine Engineer, Ricardo is responsible for operating and maintaining main and ancillary ship machinery, ensuring vessels pass rigorous inspections. He also performs audits and training onboard, conducts interviews, and develops technical training programs. Ricardo leads the ORB audit team in Manila, oversees the Engine Cadet Program, and serves as the company's Environmental Officer, managing environmental workshops and initiatives.
Captain Ioannis Anysis
Owner’s Representative
Captain Ioannis Anysis is the Owner’s Representative of Scorpio Manning Agency in Manila, managing a pool of 2000 Filipino Seafarers for Scorpio and other third party Owned vessels. Prior to this position he had been sailing from Junior Officer to Master onboard diverse Greek Navy vessels and participated in numerous Peacekeeping and Maritime Interdiction operations, preventing loss of life and catastrophic damage to property. After a successful career in the Greek Navy, he joined the Merchant marines, working various positions, including Assistant DPA, and Operations and Business Development Manager at Shipping and Maritime Security Companies. Captain Ioannis holds a BS in Maritime Studies, an MA in International Relations and an MA in LLM Shipping Law and Shipping Business, with distinction. He is an Associate Fellow AFNI at Nautical Institute since 2019.
