Bongbong Marcos to shipping sector: Adapt, integrate modern tech and fleets

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged the country’s shipping industry to improve and adapt to the latest technologies and modern ships to compete in the evolving global shipping industry.

In a speech at the Seafarer 2050 Summit in Pasay City, he mentioned the arrival of new and sustainable fuels and digitalization and automation in maritime transportation.

Although the President did not mention recent maritime accidents and the importance of prioritizing safety measures to minimize their occurrence, ultimately, his administration will play a crucial role in achieving the goal of prioritizing safety measures. The government’s commitment to ensuring the industry’s safety must be provided as called for by Senator Gace Poe, who had filed a proposal to create a Philippine Transportation Safety Board to deal with sea, land, and air transportation safety challenges.

Marine accidents concern transport safety

Senate public services panel chair Poe noted that the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 tragedy off Basilan in March, which killed 26 people and damaged the environment, followed after the motor tanker Princes Empress capsized and leaked oil off Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28.

“Clearly, the safety component in our transportation is sorely lacking. We reiterate our call for an independent agency that will conduct thorough and truthful investigations and provide corresponding recommendations,” she said in a statement.

Philippine maritime safety concerns rise as marine accidents increase. Factors contributing to accident-prone ships include overcrowding, adverse weather, weak industry regulations, and inadequate vessel maintenance. In 2021, the Maritime Industry Authority recorded 214 incidents, the highest in five years and more than double the previous year’s total.

In the wake of the tragic 1987 MV Doña Paz disaster, concerns over maritime safety in the country persist. The unpredictable nature of sea routes and reliance on gut feelings instead of technology heightens risks, particularly during typhoon season.

“To facilitate this shift, there is a need for the shipping industry to adapt and integrate new developments into their fleets, starting with the retooling of existing ships and the building of newer, more modern ships, equipped with these new technologies,” Marcos said.

The President added that as the shipping industry evolves, the government will continue to strengthen marine-related legislation and enhance maritime education, which has the potential to improve the country’s image after a string of ship mishaps.

He ordered the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to train and develop Filipino maritime personnel and stressed the importance of investing in skilled workers.

“As President, I reiterate my directive to the Maritime Industry Authority and the Commission on Higher Education to work closely with the shipping industry on the upskilling and reskilling of Filipino seafarers to prepare them for the shift of ocean-going vessels from using the conventional fuel sources to green ammonia between 2030 to 2040,” Marcos said.

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In October 2022, 50,000 Filipino seafarers failed to meet EU seafarer training standards which put their jobs at risk. However, the EU will still recognize their credentials as the Philippine authorities have been trying to improve the marine workers’ training program and accreditation system.

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Other government officials at Monday’s Seafarer 2050 Summit included Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma. – With backgrounder and context from abc

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KGA/abc