CEBU – The Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association, Inc. (PCSA) called for the restructuring of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) with the proposal to split MARINA into two separate agencies: one for international shipping and another for domestic operations.
In a General Membership Meeting (GMM), October 10 at Radisson Blu, the PCSA urged Marina to revise its competency standards by giving more weight to hands-on experience rather than purely academic qualifications. Under current rules, a four-year maritime degree is required, which the group says excludes many capable captains and officers.
PCSA chairman Lucio Lim said that Senator Panfilo Lacson supported the proposal that would follow successful models in countries like Japan and Australia, where domestic shipping is governed independently of international maritime regulations. The GMM also focused on the challenges facing the country’s coastwise shipping sector, including regulatory burdens, crew shortages, and safety concerns,
The event also reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and PCSA in ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime operations. Both parties pledged to continue working closely on policy initiatives and sector-specific concerns.
Key
developments in the Philippine Maritime Industry
The PCSA continues to advocate for reforms that support the sustainable growth of the domestic shipping industry and promote better working conditions for Filipino seafarers. However, the Philippine Maritime Industry is currently undergoing significant developments and faces a mix of opportunities and challenges.
The Philippines is the world's leading supplier of seafarers, with estimates suggesting one in every four to five seafarers globally is Filipino. The industry’s focus on the seafarers, recognizing their crucial role, there's an emphasis on skills enhancement and adapting to new technologies in the digital age.
The Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028 is the overarching blueprint for the sector's transformation, focusing more on modernization efforts, expanding shipping capacity to meet growing demand for both cargo and passenger transport and developing shipbuilding and repair industries.
Aiming to reduce reliance on foreign shipbuilders by upgrading local facilities and encouraging public-private partnerships. The Philippines, particularly through shipyards like Tsuneishi Cebu and Austal Philippines, remains a significant player in the global shipbuilding and repair market, holding a substantial share of the Rest of the World (RoW) order book.
Enhancing maritime transport safety and security by implementing stricter regulations to align with international standards and promoting a highly skilled maritime workforce through investing in training programs to ensure Filipino seafarers remain globally competitive and can operate modern vessels, which includes leadership development programs.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is currently pursuing the digitalization of its services nationwide, aiming for ISO 9001:2015 certification, and aligning with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions strategy for environmental sustainability, integrating green practices and aiming for a more sustainable maritime industry.
Digital transformation and innovation—to establish a Sustainable Maritime Innovation Center that would focus on digitalization and research within the sector and government and industry collaboration. There is increasing collaboration between government agencies like MARINA and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to enhance safety and efficiency.
MARINA is also strengthening ties with international partners like Maersk to advance sustainable practices and the energy transition. Continued efforts are being made to modernize ports and acquire new vessels for infrastructure development.
On technological advancements, the industry is embracing automation and advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. This includes the development of local systems like the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for real-time ship tracking and tools for port capacity analysis and energy consumption monitoring.
Current challenges of the maritime industry
The Philippine maritime industry faces several challenges, one of which is the inefficiencies in Domestic Shipping: Issues like high shipping costs, low service quality, and safety concerns persist in the domestic sector. The market remains concentrated with a few dominant players.
Competition from other Maritime Nations. Other countries are heavily investing in their maritime sectors, increasing competition for the Philippines. Geopolitical tensions like the disputes in the South China Sea pose risks to shipping routes and the safety of vessels.
Underdeveloped logistics infrastructure and network can lead to delays; Tropical weather such as the rainy season can cause disruptions to shipping schedules. Waiting time for deployment of Filipino seafarers sometimes face challenges and financial strain while waiting for onboard deployment.
Training Quality Concerns: The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has raised concerns about the quality of maritime training institutions, potentially creating barriers for Filipino seafarers' employment. Aging Seafarer population remains a challenge due to the gradual gradual increase in the average age of Filipino seafarers.
Maritime governance capacity gaps: Issues include limited maritime domain awareness, budget constraints for acquiring necessary equipment, and fragmented policy implementation.
PCSA said that the Philippine Maritime Industry
is in a dynamic phase, characterized by modernization efforts and a focus on
its crucial role in both domestic and international shipping. While challenges
remain, the country's strengths, particularly its human capital and strategic
location, present significant opportunities for growth and development.
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