CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) could resume full operations of its passenger-cargo vessels upon compliance of conditions imposed by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

In an order dated August 8, the Marina board of directors has required Sulpicio Lines to engage the service of an International Safety Management (ISM) certified ship management company, retrain all its crew and upgrade the insurance coverage for its passengers, crew and cargo before it would be allowed to operate its passenger-cargo vessels.

The Marina said the ISM-certified management company would assist in the review, institutionalization and sustained implementation of the company's safety management system.

Developed by the International Maritime Organization, the ISM Code aims to ensure safety at sea, prevent human injury and avoid damage to the environment and property.

It required the shipping company to secure insurance coverage from duly licensed companies for their crew, third parties and cargoes to cover various liabilities within 21 days from receipt of the Marina order.

Sulpicio should also get insurance coverage for its passengers of not less than P200,00 manifested passenger, with the total amount of such coverage equivalent to the total authorized passengers of the ships.

The company should also follow the proper procedure cited in Marina circular 101 and must have proper documentation of its dangerous cargoes.

The Marina gave the SLI three months to comply with the conditions.

The Marina board explained that it has taken into consideration the requests of the different chambers of commerce and local government officials that urged the government to allow the full cargo operations of SLI.

The Marina said that it considered the need to continue providing cargo services within the country even as it also recognized the need to lessen the cost of goods and commodities as the world faces food and energy crisis.

However, the Marina explained it has to balance this requirement with the safety of life at sea, especially as more typhoons are expected to hit the country before the end of the year.

The order, which was signed last August 8, 2008 by Marina administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. and Marina deputy administrator for operations Col. Primo Rivera, was made in response to the 'extremely urgent motion to lift the cease and desist order with manifestation' filed by SLI on July 28.

The SLI, in its motion, prayed that its ships be allowed to resume normal cargo and passenger operation, or if not possible, at least on cargo operations only after the ships passed the re-inspection and audit.

The Marina had issued an order on August 2 lifting the suspension of at least two ships—MV Princess of the Earth and MV Cotabato Princess.

The Marina also warned that it would implement again the grounding order dated June 23, 2008 if the SLI fails to comply with its order within three months.

The Marina Board has deputized the Marina enforcement office, the Marina regional offices, the Cebu Port Authority, the Philippine Port Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard to enforce the order until further notice.