The Maritime League, a non-profit Filipino maritime foundation in cooperation with both the government and maritime stakeholders in the country is organizing a 2-days maritime event dubbed the 1st Philippines International Maritime Conference and Exhibition (PIMCE 2011) this November 14 to 15.

With the theme “The Philippines – A land of Maritime Opportunity”, the event is aimed at providing venue for maritime regulators and disseminates information and exchange ideas with the maritime stakeholders, for the ben­efit of the maritime industry.

Also, it should provide an opportunity for owners and operators of the various sectors of the maritime industry to meet equipment suppliers and service providers for econom­ic and safety concerns and provide venue as showcase for the maritime industry products and services for local and inter­national participants.

PIMCE is to run for 2 days with semi­nars, for and product/equipment showcase and presentation.

Commodore Carlos L. Agustin, president of the Maritime League and Representative Roger G. Mer­cado (Lone District of Southern Leyte), Chairman of the House committee on Transportation, and also long time member of the League Co-Chairs the Or­ganizing Committee that also includes Atty. Juan C. Sta. Ana and Hector Miole of the Philippines Ports Authority (PPA) and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philip­pine Navy (PN) and the Maritime Industry Au­thority (MARINA)

PIMCE 2011 will fo­cus this year’s event on Shipbuilding and wa­terfront development, recognizing among others, the country’s potential to be a great shipbuilding nation.

“We are fourth in the world in terms of ship­building, yet we are not truly known as that” pointed out Agustin.

He added that the potential is great consider­ing mega companies from shipbuilding giants like Hanjin and Tsuneishi have set up branch­es in the country and have been reaping great success.

Representative Mercado, a known pro­ponent of waterfront development in the country said that with the government’s continued thrust to further develop its in­termodal transport system, the dream to become a shipbuilding hub in Asia should be pursued.

“This is an industry that needs to be given much importance considering we have the manpower and certainly the ca­pability to be a shipbuilding nation”, he added.

Representative Mercado lauded the project and expressed full support.

He said, “This is indeed a very important and laudable project. This should bring together all our stakeholders together and give focus to the strategic location of our country as a maritime nation that is not known only to be the number one supplier of qualified crew to global shipping but a shipbuilding nation as well”.

Venue of the event and other information related to PIMCE 2011 will be announced soon.