Marina taps shipping firms for emergency services amid ‘Ompong’

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) on Thursday ordered shipping companies to extend emergency services to coastal areas affected by typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Mangkhut).

In an advisory, the Marina said shipping companies must provide shipping services “to any coastal area in the country where such services are necessary to meet sealift requirements during emergency situations.”

According to Marina, shipping services include the transport of displaced or stranded passengers, food and relief goods, construction materials, medical and other supplies, professionals and skilled people, and other emergency needs in afflicted areas.

“Marina reiterates its advisory for all shipping companies and operators for their strict observance of precautionary and safety measures in the light of Super Typhoon Ompong,” it noted.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ompong packs maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

The typhoon has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon and is moving westward at 30 kph. Ompong continues to threaten Northern and Central Luzon and is expected to make landfall on the northern tip of Cagayan on Saturday morning. /kga