January 2018


Maintaining Freedom of Navigation

Many security challenges beset the nation as it welcomes 2018. At the domestic front, the continuing violent activities of the terrorists and other lawless armed groups in Mindanao and Sulu Sea necessitate extension of martial rule and increased deployment of security forces. Apart from armed conflict the detrimental effects of ecological imbalance brought about and expected to induce calamities and…


Transforming Coron

Coron is a beautiful protected island on the southeast coast of Busuanga. But when we speak of Coron, we usually refer to the town called Coron across the island, which is located on Busuanga Island itself. That area has become a tourist destination. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s just before the declaration of Martial Law, I spent much…


Challenge and Opportunity: PAX ASIA-PACIFICA

Part I “Terrorism Dominates ASEAN Talks: World Leaders Expressed Concern About Extremist Attacks — Duterte…” — Manila Bulletin headline, 16 November 2017 “By all indications and in many respects, the Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), capped by this week’s 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, was an unqualified success. The agreements reached — on the…


SMM Maritime Industry Report: Sector Sees Light at the End of the tunnel

For the first time in its history, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) has conducted a large-scale study asking exhibitors and visitors of the leading global trade fair for the maritime industry to give their assessment of the sector’s economic and technological development. The SMM Maritime Industry Report (SMM MIR) shows that the industry is looking to the future with…


Separation of the PCG from the Navy

After the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit decision in November 2017 to go, finally, for a Code of Conduct involving the 10 ASEAN member-nations and their Dialogue Partners, particularly the People’s Republic of China, the value of FVR’s strategic decision made 25 years ago to pursue the separation of the Philippine Coast Guard – from being one of the operating units of…


Russia May Enact Cabotage Law for Arctic Oil and Gas

17-November-2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered a group of top-level shipping executives at the Kremlin to encourage them to fly the Russian flag and direct their business to a Russian shipyard. Attendees included top-level leaders from Rosneft, Gazprom, Novatek and the United Shipbuilding Corporation. Putin has previously asked Russian shipowners to commit to ordering newbuilds at the new Zvezda shipyard…


Surface Warships Global Market Report 2018

Global naval defence budgets are more and more constrained, putting pressure on navies around the world to build up their capabilities and fleets to remain powerful on the seven seas. The resurgence of adversaries and their increasing capabilities is forcing allied nations to re-assess their current state and to think about procurement decisions in upcoming years. In a recent survey…


Denmark Calls for International Regulation of Autonomous Ships

A new report published by the Danish Maritime Authority has called for changes in international maritime regulation to prepare for the introduction of autonomous ships. “It is important that Denmark and Danish companies are at the forefront of technology and digitalization. The development of autonomous ships is fast-moving and we must be at its forefront,” said Danish Minister for Industry,…


Focus on Regional Fisheries – A Broad Characteristic Under ASEAN Vision 2025

Introduction: State of World Fisheries. A wake-up call for the regional seas of ASEAN and the Central Indo-Pacific. Exploitation of the global marine commons has led to the depletion of most major fish stocks, and to a growing recognition of the need to take global and regional collective action to manage fisheries resources. Freedom to Fish, among the five customary…


Ensuring Compliance with Potable Water Testing Regulations on Ships: A Complete Guide

Regulations surrounding potable water on ships. In August 2013, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) started to enforce their regulations (MLC 2006), aimed at maintaining high quality drinking water onboard ships, to protect crew from waterborne health risks. Ship owners, managers, shipyards and crew manning agencies must all understand how the regulations titled, ‘Food and Catering: Provision of Food and Fresh…


Elios: A Safer Way Forward for Ship Inspections

The seaworthiness of a vessel is one of the most important considerations for any maritime operator. Whether you are responsible for a small passenger ship or bulk carrier, compliance laws are getting stricter to ensure that crew members and passengers are kept safe and marine pollution levels are kept to a minimum. Penalties can be serious, but if a ship…


IMO Promotes Fishing Vessel Safety Agreement to Save Lives

When it comes to fishing vessel safety, the mission is clear, says Sandra Allnutt of the International Maritime Organization (IMO): enhance safety to save lives. “We want to reduce loss of life in one of the most dangerous professions in the world, and we want to enhance safety on board fishing vessels,” said Ms Allnutt, Head of Maritime Technology in…


KR Launches Survey Services Using Drones

The Korean Register (KR), an International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) member, has announced that it is now conducting ship inspection services using Drones, responding to the industry-wide trend to use more unmanned technology. The new service, which has been successfully trialed and now launched, follows extensive collaboration and research conducted with the University of Gyeongnam Geochang. The Drone inspection…


PRS Achieves ISO9001:2015 Certification from ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc.

Last month, PRS successfully passed with flying colors (with only 1 minor observation) the strict assessment and certification audit of ABS QE to the latest 2015 version of ISO9001 of PRS’ Integrated Management System. The first and leading Filipino classification society has again trailblazed in establishing an Integrated Management System compliant to ISO 9001:2015 (quality management standard), ISO 18001 (OHSAS…


Inmarsat Transforms Seafarer Safety Infrastructure with SafetyNET II Launch

In November 2017, Inmarsat launched a vital new service, SafetyNET II, for Maritime Safety Information Providers (MSIPs), marking a key stage in upgrading the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which helps to save thousands of lives at sea each year. Inmarsat’s new generation international broadcast and automatic reception service for Maritime Safety Information (MSI) enables MSIP’s to transition…


DAMEN Displays Leading Position in Global OPV Market

Damen Shipyards Group has compiled a comprehensive summary of its worldwide shipbuilding activities regarding Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The information shows that, with 5 vessels delivered in the last year, and 15 currently under construction, Damen has unrivalled experience in serving the naval industry with its OPV portfolio. Moreover, the company has proven its capability of completing complex naval projects…


LÜRSSEN to Build Offshore Patrol Vessels in Australia

The Australian Federal Government announced on 24-November-2017 in Canberra that Lürssen would be awarded as the Prime Contractor to deliver the Royal Australian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The OPV program will see 12 vessels built in total. West Australian shipbuilders Austal and Civmec/Forgacs, and Government shipbuilder ASC would all be part of building the vessels, according to the Defense…


World Dream Cruise Ship Sets Sail to Philippines

Dream Cruises, the leading cruise company in Asia, and a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, has taken delivery of its newest cruise ship, which was constructed in the city of Papenburg located in the district of Emsland in Lower Saxony, Germany. Papenburg is notably situated at the River Ems, and is known for its large shipyard, the Meyer Werft, which…


Talangka Crabs in the Philippines

The Talangka in the Philippines is from the scientific family Grapsidae and species Varuna litterata. Apart from the Philippines, Varuna litterata is also known to exist in Australia, China, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nansha (Spratly) Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paracel Islands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. The Varuna Litterata was named in 1798…


Friend of the Sea Confirms Belgian Imperial Heritage Caviar

Belgian caviar house, Imperial Heritage, recently obtained Friend of the Sea’s certification for aquaculture. Breeding activities of the Danube Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) and the Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) take place in Italy, and have been found compliant with Friend of the Sea sustainable aquaculture criteria, some of which are: (a) No impact of the aquaculture site on critical habitat; (b)…