By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has unveiled its 10-year program to modernize the shipyard industry in the country.
In a statement on Monday, MARINA said its Shipyard Regulations Service (SRS) presented the agency’s shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship breaking programs at the 2nd National Shipyard Convention held in Cebu City from Nov. 15-16 which served as a venue among the government and shipyard stakeholders to discuss initiatives that will boost the development of the shipyard industry.
“From 18 shipyard members in 2016, now the Shipyard Association of the Philippines (ShAP) has 97 bonafide members out of the 118 total number of shipyards in the country. I feel a deep sense of awe, that in a span of three years, the association has come a long way in assisting shipyard owners achieve not only their business objectives, but also in striving to provide a conducive investment climate for all,” MARINA SRS Director Ramon Hernandez said.
He lauded the ShAP for its support to the MARINA’s shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship breaking industry initiatives under the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Program.
Among the initiatives being pursued by MARINA for the maritime sector are promotion of the Philippine Flag Registry; promotion of the Philippines as a transshipment and bunkering hub in the Southeast Asian region; upgrading and expansion of local shipyards, establishment of an eco-industrial maritime park and establishment of a maritime training and research center.
Meanwhile, ShAP chairman Meneleo Carlos III recognized MARINA’s efforts to collaborate with maritime stakeholders, especially in drafting policies and formulating programs to address existing challenges in the industry.
“The MARINA has been an immense help and guidance to us in terms of bringing our concerns together and making them present to the government. Certainly, we must do our part as the association – meeting like this, grouping ourselves for the priority concerns and communicate those concerns to the MARINA. It’s time for us to offer back to them,” he said.
In the convention, ShAP members presented their agenda and concerns shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship breaking industry as MARINA is set to issue a new memorandum circular on the registration and licensing of the shipyards, including the afloat ship repairs in the country.
The event was also aimed to clarify some of the issues on ISO certification, including the identification of the MARINA-recognized organization that will do the ISO certification for the shipyards.
MARINA assured that it will implement effective regulations on ship building and ship sector in relation to the production and construction of quality ships as shipyard facilities need to have ISO certification and will also pursue its ship retirement and replacement program.
The agency projects’ significant potential for the shipyard industry in the country as domestic ships make about 353,323 port calls per year which are mostly passenger and cargo ships acquired through importation.
On the other hand, foreign ships make about 9,671 port calls annually which are mostly large bulk carriers, tankers and container ships.
