It was a heartbreaking moment, losing out in a hotly-contested election for Secretary General of the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) last June 30, 2015 in London. The drama started in Philippine media when it was reported that Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Maximo Q Mejia Jr was among six people hoping to become the International Maritime Organization’s next secretary-general….
Taking off from its milestone last year, the Philippine Ports Authority is looking at sustaining the pace it has adopted as it slowly transforms Philippine ports to world standards. As it celebrates its 41st Founding Anniversary with the theme “Magkabalikat sa Pagsulong ng Ating Adhikain on 11 July 2015, PPA General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana is encouraging the PPA…
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…
Lim Ki-tack, president of the Busan Port Authority in South Korea, has been elected the new Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization. Today’s decision was passed down by a secret ballet vote of the 40-member IMO Council, which is holding its 114 session this week. Lim beat out five other candidates from Cyprus, Russia, Philippines, Denmark and Kenya for the…
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Double Dragon Properties Corp. has been named the winner of a : development contract for a new ferry terminal-cum-commercial complex in Iloilo City.
Port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has acquired a private port in the Gulf of Davao, its second terminal in the area. ICTSI also operates Sasa Wharf, Davao’s main international seaport. According to ICTSI, its wholly-owned subsidiary Abbotsford Holdings, Inc., (AHI) has acquired subscription rights to forty million common shares in Hijo International Port Services, Inc. (HIPS), which…
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.
Ship management trade association InterManager has joined the ranks of shipping industry organizations that are recognizing Asia’s growing maritime influence and have looked east for leaders. Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) Vice-Chairman and CEO Gerardo A. Borromeo was elected as the new President of InterManager, an international trade association for in-house and third party ship managers. Borromeo is the first…
The Seabees and Engineers Retirees and General Services (SERGS) Cooperative was established to augment the meager income of retired Navy personnel through various opportunities offered by the cooperative to its members. SERGS Coop ventured into the construction business so as to maximize the expertise of our retirees in the field of construction engineering, repair and maintenance of facilities and buildings….
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The International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW) has published a report on seafarer access to communications technology in port, which it claims is “taking a back seat because of high investment costs and ports’ concerns about security.” The Developments in New Technology & Implications for Seafarers’ Welfare report was commissioned by ICSW in order to learn more about how port-wide…
A new program set to help seafarers and their families cope with the physical and mental trauma caused by torture and abuse at the hands of pirates is being launched in London, UK today. The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP), funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and The TK Foundation, is chaired by Peter Swift, formerly managing director of…
The Philippines’ estimated 380,000 seafarers have much to cheer about as the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) have reached the final agreement regarding the pay hike of sailors serving in the international merchant marine fleet. The conclusion, which has been hard fought by both sides, resulted in a three-year deal being…
The United States government is set to provide more nuclear and radiation detection equipment to the Philippine government to be deployed to ports in Manila and Cebu by next year. According to Kim Prono, a representative of the US Department of Energy, the move is meant to increase security measures at the country’s major ports, to prevent nuclear proliferation and…
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…
In yet another pioneering endeavor, Compass Training Center recently held the first ever Danish Medical Care Course in the Philippines last August 29, with a pilot class of 12 participants from TORM Philippines. The course was a huge success and was conducted by Mr. Rene Gyaard and Mr. Kent Jensen, experienced nurses and licensed by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA)….
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) will soon take delivery of eight brand new rubber tired gantries (RTG) to support the Manila International Container Terminal’s (MICT) new Berth 6 operation that is scheduled for early next year. An investment worth $10.7 million, the new RTGs will arrive in two batches beginning June next year in time for the startup…
The Board of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has modified and approved the detailed development design of Terminal 1 of the North Port, formerly North Harbor, submitted by operator Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI). The Board has likewise extended the timeline in finishing the development, which only covers Terminal 1 or the provision on the Passenger Terminal…
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Batumi International Container Terminal (BICT) recently serviced the MSC Ukraine, the largest vessel to dock in the Black Sea coast of the Republic of Georgia. “We are honored to have the MSC Ukraine here as it shows our capability to service new generation vessels,” says Capt. Jan Nowak, BICT chief executive officer and general…
Maersk Line, the world’s largest containerized cargo carrier, has provided Philippine shippers uninterrupted service to Europe and other ports in Asia with the introduction of a new service. Dubbed as Daily Maersk, the service offers daily cut-offs from different strategic ports in Asia and fixed transportation time providing unprecedented frequency and absolute reliability. In a statement Maersk Line Philippines explained…