Maritime Review (Sept – Oct 2019 Issue)
(click cover to download the magazine)
September 2019
CHINA’S MARITIME CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
The construction of military-grade bases in three artificial islands (Subi, Fiery Cross and Mischief Reefs), posting of troops with missile defense capability in four others (Cuarteron, Gaven, Hughes, and Johnson South Reefs), conduct of regular naval and coast guard patrols, and use of paramilitary fishing units in the South China Sea are clear indications that China’s maritime campaign has fully…
The Navy-Coast Guard Quandary
Reviewing some of my past email, I came across a June 23, 2011 query from a Philippine Marine reserve officer, Frank Suha, who has been living in the United States for many years: There is recent news that PCG is planning to buy brand-new high endurance cutters/vessels – this will be a big help in the West Philippine Sea issue….
Two Rare Boat Burials from the Viking Age Discovered in Sweden
A sensational find of two boat burials from the Viking Age have been discovered in Uppsala. One of the two graves was intact with remains of a man, a horse and a dog. ”This is a unique excavation, the last excavation of this grave type in Old Uppsala was almost 50 years ago,” says archaeologist Anton Seiler. The two boat…
Induction of New Maritime League Members at SMX PhilMarine 2109 Conference
Draft of New Legally Binding UN Law of the Sea Regulations Released
The First Draft of the UN Law of the Sea “BBNJ” Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction has been released for review 28-June-2019. The initial version of the new legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is available from U.N. at: https://www.un.org/bbnj/sites/www.un.org.bbnj/files/draft_text_a.conf_.232.2019.6_advanced_unedited_version_corr.pdf. The World Ocean Council (WOC)…
Mapping the Impact of Illicit Trade on the Sustainable Development Goals: An Executive Summary
Illicit trade and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From smuggling, counterfeiting and tax evasion, to the illegal sale or possession of goods, services, humans and wildlife, illicit trade is compromising the attainment of the UN SDGs in significant ways, crowding out legitimate economic activity, depriving governments of revenues for investment in vital public services, dislocating millions of legitimate jobs,…
The Right of Innocent Passage
The right of innocent passage refers to the right of foreign vessels to freely navigate in the territorial sea of another State without conducting activities that prejudice said State’s interests.1 2 It is akin to an easement or servitude whereby one has a right in relation to another’s property. Innocent passage through the territorial sea of a State over which…
New Guidance on Abduction of Crew in Sulu-Celebes Seas Released
The ReCAAP ISC has released its latest publication in 2019: “Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah.” This Guidance focuses on the incidents of abduction of crew from ships for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and in the waters off Eastern Sabah. It provides the guidance and analysis based on the information collected…
PCG’s First Offshore Patrol Vessel Formally Launched in France
The Philippine Coast Guard’s first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was formally launched in OCEA shipyard in France on July 17. PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino, with the Deputy Chief of PCG Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization, Captain Ferdinan B Picar, PCG Spokesperson Captain Armando A Balilo, and officials from Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)…
NYK establishes Electronic Payment Platform for Seafarers
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) in collaboration with Accenture and CITI, and a joint venture with Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) developed MarcoPay for seafarers. Software, Big Data & IoT reports in Digital Ship: “NYK has formed a joint venture with Philippines-based TDG to launch electronic money platform MarCoPay for seafarers. MarCoPay is an electronic money platform designed mainly for seafarers hired…
World Maritime Theme for 2020: “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet”
Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet has been selected as the World Maritime theme for 2020. This will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and showcase the work that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States are undertaking to achieve the targets. The IMO Council, meeting for its 122nd session…
First Barracuda-Class Nuclear Attack Submarine Launched by France
The French Naval Group has launched SNA Suffren, the first of 6 nuclear submarines for the French Navy. The black steel submarine was launched at a ceremony in the northern port of Cherbourg on 12-July-2019. SNA Suffren, the first of the Barracuda-class series, is a highly complex vessel that was built using a modular system. They are designed to replace…
Damen Installs Solar Panels at Dutch Shipyards
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Damen Shipyards Group is having solar panels installed at a number of its Dutch yards. Collectively, the installations will provide approximately 11 MWh clean electricity per year. Damen Project manager, Gerard Kornet explains, “At Damen, we always take a long-term view. It’s part of our culture as a family company. We want…
Seabourn Unveils Passenger Submarine Design
Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is preparing to take travelers into the depths of the ocean for the first time by revealing the design and details for its custom submarines that will operate excursions for an additional charge from the line’s two upcoming ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships. Both Seabourn Venture and her yet-to-be-named sister ship will sail to…
Surface Ship and Submarine Area of Operations within Philippine Maritime Jurisdiction
INTRODUCTION This article was derived from the World Meteorological Organization Wave Statistics on various sea areas within Philippine Maritime Jurisdiction. It provides information on prevailing sea state conditions that can serve as valuable tools of information for naval operation of surface ships and submarines. Philippine Sea Areas of Responsibility Wave Environment The Philippines lies on the boundary between “Global Wave…
MARINA Pushes for Phasing-Out of Wooden-Hulled Ships
ILOILO CITY – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), together with partner government agencies and private stakeholders, visits boat operators and associations in Iloilo and Guimaras to discuss the modernization of the domestic shipping industry through an institutional mechanism workshop on the replacement of wooden-hulled passenger ships with technologically-improved hull materials. MARINA urges boat operators and associations, specifically in the Iloilo…
ICTSI Manila Continues Equipment Roll-Out
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) recently took delivery of another new quay crane and eight new hybrid rubber tired gantries (RTGs) for its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). The terminal now has the largest fleet of modern container-handling equipment in the Philippines with 18 quay cranes and 58 RTGs. Manufactured by ZPMC, the quay crane is part of…
Port of NY-NJ looks to Develop Wind Energy Terminal
The Port of New York and New Jersey is looking to develop a marine terminal focused on serving the region’s growing offshore wind energy sector, freshly boosted last month when New Jersey gave the green light to the state’s first offshore wind project. A wind energy terminal was one of two suggested uses when the Port Authority of New York…
PPA Inaugurates Biggest Port Terminal Building in Cagayan de Oro
On 15-Jul-2019, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) inaugurated the Philippines’s biggest seaport Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) in the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City. “The construction of this brand new building will greatly strengthen the region as the global gateway to Mindanao. Once we inaugurate this on July 15, we are opening Cagayan De Oro…
The Port Management Office of Agusan (PMO-AGS)
The Philippine Port Authority (PPA) Port Management Office of Agusan (PMO-AGS) was formerly called Port Management Unit (PMU) Masao. Later, PMU-Masao was renamed PMO-Nasipit, which covered Baseport Nasipit, and two government ports: Terminal Management Offices (TMO) Butuan and Masao. HISTORY. The recorded history of Nasipit, which is a natural cove, can be traced to as early as 1880 when it…
The Problems that Deforestation of Tropical Forests Bring
Once again the tropical forests of the world are in the news. This time, the forests of the Amazon Basin are experiencing uncontrolled wild fires destroying thousands of hectares of forest that are hundreds or thousands of years old. Considering the technical abilities available on a global level, I ask: How could this happen? What is the cause? And what…
Why the Rush in Seabed Mining in the Pacific Ocean?
The Pacific Ocean is the scene of a new Wild West. Companies and their investors, hungry for profits, are driving a speculative rush for seabed minerals. Donor government-supported programs that promote the development of ‘responsible’ seabed mining regulations provide aid. THE PERILS OF DEEP SEA MINING. Deep Sea Mining (DSM) is as yet an unproven industry hoping to extract minerals…
The Liguasan Marsh
Liguasan Marsh, located in Southern Mindanao, is the largest Marsh wetland in the Philippines, covering over 220,000 hectares, spread across the provinces of Maguindanao, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. It is a conglomeration of three marshes: Liguasan Marsh proper, Libungan Marsh, and the Ebpanan Marsh. A marsh is a tract of soft wetland characterised by grasses and cattails (Monocotyledons), which are…
Ballast Water Management and The Importance of Proper Handling
During the 147th Maritime Forum, I had the opportunity to listen to a very informative presentation by MARINA Director Marc Anthony Pascua regarding Ballast Water Management. The presentation outlined its importance with regard to international transportation of Invasive Aquatic Organisms through commercial shipping. This presentation prompted me to further explore the issue, and write this article. With the introduction of…