Automation is only going one way. How will it impact you? It’s estimated that tens of thousands of dollars could be saved each day by introducing automation to a single container vessel – but is this realistically on the horizon? We’ve spoken at length about drones being used in the future, but what about ships and ports? Ports. Container cranes…
Detroit’s LIFT, “Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow,” a Manufacturing USA institute, announced the creation of a new process which introduces the opportunity for shipbuilders to save production costs and improve build time — all while reducing distortion of lightweight materials. The Joining-3 Project, led by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division, with partners in government, NSWC-Carderock Division, NAVSEA and industry, including…
A container straddle carrier with an autonomous navigation system is helping improve operational efficiency during its final testing phase. Developed by China-headquartered Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (B), the straddle carrier can undertake self-repositioning, handling, stacking, loading and unloading, as well as transporting empty containers. The benefits of automating these tasks include energy savings, lower maintenance costs, environmental protection…
INTRODUCTION Stealth is the main reason for acquiring a submarine. Submarine-warfare is governed by avoiding being detected underwater by controlled sound propagation and crew activities on-board. Submarine invincibility is lost and the effective use of her weapon system would be denied once her presence underwater is detected. The submarine is a sitting duck because her location, rate of motion, and…
The Port of Davao is a seaport located in the island of Mindanao. The Port of Davao consists of a number of ports, all within the Davao Gulf, which is part of the Celebes Sea, but its main office and seaport is located at Sasa, Davao City. The Sasa Wharf is one of the largest and busiest piers in the…
Singapore is considered as the top world’s shipping centre for the fifth year in a row, followed by Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, and Dubai. The outcome is based on the International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCD) issued by Baltic Exchange and Xinhua news agency. The index, which was first introduced in 2014, ranks 43 of the largest global ports and…
It’s reassuring that even in the ports world, the best things can come in smaller parcels. Drewry’s new global container port connectivity index has thrown up some unexpected stars – and pushed some giants further down the list than they might ever have expected. Drewry launched its bespoke index in order to rank and monitor how well connected the world’s…
General Santos City (GenSan) is located in South Cotabato, in southwest Mindanao, and is a modern fish port. Its original name was Dadiangas, but was later renamed General Santos after the city’s founder, General Paulino Santos, who was a former commanding general of the Philippine Army. As the Tuna capital of the Philippines, GenSan carries the flag for South Cotabato…
The Tañon Strait is a body of water, situated between the islands of Negros and Cebu in the Visayas region. The Strait is about 100 miles (161 km) long, and connects the Visayan Sea in the north to the Bohol Sea in the south. Its width varies from 3-17 miles (5 to 27 km), with the narrowest point in the…
Maersk Supply Service will, in the coming months, provide marine support to The Ocean Cleanup, the Dutch non-profit that is developing advanced technologies to rid the oceans from plastic, and install their first cleanup system in the North Pacific. This moment will mark the start of the World’s first large-scale initiative for collection of floating ocean-plastic debris. Global plastic production…
We are killing the Earth with pollution. It’s true. Just have a look at the recent local news regarding Boracay Island and other notable tourist-resort areas in the Philippines. The problem is extensive and growing. But don’t stop there. Have a look at this problem on a global level. The world’s oceans are awash in trash. Due to ocean currents…
With the culmination of the second Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) The Search for the Country’s Outstanding Coastal Community, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) is now accepting nominations for the third season of MMK. An annual program by the DA through the BFAR, MMK gives recognition and incentives to outstanding coastal communities for their…
Recognizing the archipelagic and maritime nature of the country, then President Fidel V Ramos issued in 1994 the National Marine Policy (NMP) to guide various stakeholders in the maritime community, especially those in government, in managing the “blue economy.” The policy contains four key areas: Politics and Jurisdiction, Area Regulation and Enforcement, Area Development and Conservation, and Maritime Security. Although…
Very early on Wednesday, 18 July, while enroute from Dasmariñas City to my office in Makati, I was mentally debating what specific topic I would address for this issue of the Review. Three major issues our Advocates for National Interests (ANI) group would like to delve on initially are: (1) the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), (2) the West Philippine Sea…
Last April 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Executive Order No. 16, “Directing All Government Departments and Agencies, Including GOCCs and LGUs to adopt the National Security Policy 2017-2022 in the Formulation and Implementation of Their National Security Related Plans and Programs” which stipulates thus: “Whereas, consistent with the President’s vision of a more secure, peaceful and prosperous Filipino nation,…
Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) received the Best Operating Forces Unit Award during the 120th Philippine Navy’s Founding Anniversary in June. President Rodrigo Duterte personally congratulated NFWM Commander RAdm Rene V Medina while FOIC VAdm Robert Empredad attached the streamer to NFWM’s standard in a ceremony held in Davao. As the Philippine Navy marked its 120th Founding Anniversary with an…
In the Korean War (1950-1953) between the United Nations coalition led by the military forces of the United States and South Korea against North Korea backed up by Chinese troops, the Philippines sent 3 battalions of some 7,000 personnel equipped, supplied, placed by and fought under U.S. operational command (The PMA post-WWII Class of 1951 had an early graduation, were…
INTRODUCTION Don Felix B. Padilla was the first Filipino to graduate as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA). Don Felix returned to the Philippines to share his learning and knowledge with his country and established the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Institute (NAMEI) in 1947. He wanted to give his fellow Filipinos…
On 16-May-2018, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) –responsible for regulating international shipping– began efforts on the regulation of autonomous ships with the 99th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99). The MSC began looking at how the safe, secure and environmentally sound operation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) may be introduced in IMO instruments. With a myriad of…
Denmark presented its plan to ratify the 2010 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS). The Convention aims to provide compensation for costs, including clean up and restoring the environment in case of an incident involving HNS cargoes. With entry into force of the convention, access…
Commercial shipping is waking up to the growing threat that drones pose to the safety and security of vessels. Terrorist use of drones deploying explosives is already well documented and the potential for a drone to deliver an explosive charge through the deck of an oil/gas tanker or on a passenger ship with potentially catastrophic results is a stark reality….
The Philippines through MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo B Guerrero conveyed on 02-July-2018 its support for the inclusion of “number of serious incidents per year, and per vessel type” as a new performance indicator for maritime safety in the Strategic Plan, 2018-2023 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which held the 120th Session of the IMO Council, London, United Kingdom from…
Marking its 44th anniversary on this day, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has been making big investments in terms of port infrastructure in its bid to achieve its vision by 2020. It is also in line with the current thrust of the Duterte administration to realize the golden age of infrastructure and be at par with our international partners. Incidentally,…
The Port of Surigao serves as the Base Port of the Port Management Office of Surigao. Located in Surigao City on the northeastern coast of Mindanao, the Port of Surigao lies in a protected cove, making it an all-weather facility and ideal port of refuge. The Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao has jurisdiction over various ports in the provinces…
Reflecting on Last Year’s Conference The inaugural Disruptive Technology for Defence Transformation conference took place in London on 24-25 October 2017 and examined how disruptive technology will transform defense capability and operations. It was attended by: senior military from many countries; NATO: technology firms such as Google and QinetiQ; leading aerospace and defense companies including Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems;…