Only very recently, President Obama said China must adhere to international law for the sake of peace and stability in the South China Sea (Vietnam) and the West Philippine Sea (RP). The Pacifi c Area Command head, Admiral Harry Harris, referred to the aggressive reclamation work by China on the reefs as a “Great Wall of Sand”. These artificial islands…
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is asking the government to approve the pro-posed elevated expressway project that will connect the Port of Manila to the Skyway Stage 3 project, saying it will ease traffi c, lower delivery costs, cut travel time, and prevent a repeat of the port congestion. PCCI president Alfredo Yao, in a letter to…
On March 20, 2015, the MBF marked its 100th forum, a milestone hosted by VADM. Jesus Millan and RADM. Ronald Mercado, and held at the Philippine Navy Headquarters. The 100th, 101st and 102nd MBF Fora discussed at length, among others, China’s dredging, reclamation, and construction activities in the disputed islands located in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is improving the cargo handling capacity of three gateway ports in preparation for the expected influx of cargoes from its Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) neighbors brought about by the implementation of the Asean Economic Community at the end of the year. PPA said the existing crane capacity of the three ports are not…
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) dry port unit, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal (LGICT), recently broke ground to start the expansion of new facilities which include extended and dedicated storage areas for loaded and empty containers, a runway for rubber tired gantries (RTG), container care facilities, weigh bridges at the gates and an upgraded access road, as it primes…
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently celebrated its 41st founding anniversary on June 1, 2015 with simple and modest activities at its central office in Manila, and in all its regional offices. Administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. (PhD) who was on an overseas maritime conference, earlier sent words of thanks to industry stakeholders who have been a big help…
A revitalized Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), an agency bestowed with substantial responsibilities as a multi-mission maritime agency tasked to promote safety of life and property at sea, protect the marine environment, enforce maritime laws, and conduct maritime security operations celebrates its 111th Founding Anniversary.
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is pushing for the Philippines-Indonesia Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) as a prelude to the connectivity to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ro-Ro system starting next year. Marina said the connectivity will facilitate the seamless transport of cargo and passengers within the ASEAN economies. Initially, Marina and its Indonesian counterpart, the Indonesian Directorate General…
Department of Transportation and Communications secretary Manuel Roxas II has unveiled a 5-year P565 billion infrastructure plan including the continuation of the controversial North Rail project. Speaking before a briefing organized by the Makati Business Club recently, Roxas said the project is aimed at providing reliable, safe, and affordable public transportation system nationwide. The projects, meanwhile, include the 11.7 km…
Local shipping industry will continue to lose from the airline industry unless services offered by vessel operators becomes at par with that of the airlines. In a Passenger Service Rating System (PSRS) conducted by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) recommended that local liners need to shape up to compete with the domestic air carriers. Under the PSRS, vessel operators only…
Sister firms Lorenzo Shipping Corp. (LSC) and NMC Container Lines (NMC) have formed a joint venture to handle all the companies’ cargo handling chores nationwide. The JV, which will be named One Team Services, Inc., will be a 50-50 sharing agreement between the two Magsaysay-owned local cargo handling operators. “One Team Services, Inc. will develop competencies to eventually handle the…
Domestic shipping giant Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco) has purchased another vessel to further improve its fleet and maintain its lead over its nearest counterpart. The new vessel is also expected to increase the capacity of its passage sector as well as the capacity of its cargo sector wherein Nenaco is focusing at the moment. According to Nenaco chair Sulficio Tagud,…
Government is set to impose a new ticketing system in its bid to promote maritime safety and zero accident before the start of the Summer Vacation. The move is consistent with the earlier pronouncement of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) advocating Zero Maritime accident which includes among others the promotion of passenger safety and security through the provision…
Local carriers expect no monopoly in the local shipping industry with the recent acquisition of Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) by Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco). The two firms finally sealed the deal on December 28, 2010, or a month earlier than their mid-January target. The carriers claimed that the industry would remain level as the bulk of the country’s cargo traffic…
Tanker operators as well as oil companies are seeking the deferment of the implementation of Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act until a new law is passed. The stakeholders, led by the Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (Philpesta), Association of Tankers Owners of the Philippines (Atophil), and the ‘big 3′ oil firms Shell, Chevron (Caltex) and Petron,…
Not satisfied with the slow-paced development of the domestic shipping industry three years after Republic Act 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) wants to review its implementing guidelines to streamline some aspects and make it more attractive to investors. It added that the review will not only involve certain provisions but will…