Shipbuilding Issues 2016
Has the AFP or the Phil. Navy ever made a feasibility study complete with projections of the benefits of the ship building industry in terms of generating capital for the economy and jobs for the people?
Stories
Philippine Vulnerabilities in its Rift with China
“[Beijing is] building a Great Wall of sand over islands claimed by several countries. China’s pattern of provocations toward smaller claimant countries on the basis of the sweeping 9-dash Line which is inconsistent with international law, and the wide asymmetry between China’s capabilities and of her weak neighbors, raises serious questions about Chinese intentions.”
The 2nd Annual Ferry and Safety Conference 2016
The goal of the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s (WFSA) has been to identify and disseminate approaches, primarily technology-based, to reduce ferry fatalities. They focus on technology because it is often an impetus for social change. The 1st Ferry Safety and Technology Conference 2015 hosted by WFSA sponsored its annual vessel design competition, commissioned student research, convened a technology-based conference, and…
The Port Authority of Aalesund’s New “Swiss Army Knife”
In early April, Alusafe 1500 MPV, a well-equipped workboat was delivered from Maritime Partner AS. It is the Port Authority of Aalesund’s new workboat, a virtual “Swiss army knife” multi-purpose vessel, named Skansen. The newly developed MPV will carry out an array of assignments along the coast, in the harbour, and along the quay fronts of the Norway’s Aalesund-Sunnmøre region….
Continuing Uncertainties
Part I: MILITARY DANGERS AND ECONOMIC RISKS “War is the worst option. Peace is the common goal of all mankind…” — Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” Taiwan’s major newspaper, China Post’s headline on 06 April augured bad news for all of mankind because it announced a huge rise in military spending by countries around the world, thus: “Global military spending…
The Philippine Navy should start acquiring submarines, no matter how low tech. Is this a good start, or what?
This reminds me that the United States Navy and the US Department of State in the mid-‘60s had great hopes for the Philippine’s future. After Japan, the trios Taiwan, ROK and [ROK] Singapore had started to take off and they thought we would be the next. That was the message I got from them when they gave us a briefing…
Marine Turtles and the Philippine Forest Turtle
Five of seven marine turtle species (Testudines) in the world can be found in the Philippines. These are the Green turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, and the Leatherback. These sea turtles are commonly called “Pawikan” in the Philippines. The two other species not present in the Philippines are the Flatback (Natator depressus) and the Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles….
MMSAI-SONAME GOLF CUP
May 20, 2016, Friday; Aoki Course, Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club, Cavite City United in their common aspiration for a strong shipbuilding and ship repair industry, the the Metro Manila Shipyard Association, Inc. (MMSA) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Inc. (SONAME) will be staging their first joint “MMSAI-SONAME GOLF CUP” on May 20, 2016 at the Eagle Ridge…
The 1st Maritime League Golf Tournament
Save the Date! What? The First Maritime League Golf Tournament When? October 21, 2016 (Friday) @ 7am Where? Philippine Navy Golf Course, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Challenges for the Presidential Hopefuls: Contemporary and Strategic
As predicted and highlighted since early January, there is now an emerging confluence of important developments in the Philippines, in the Asia-Pacific region, and also around the world in terms of global security and well-being of Mother Earth’s people. While this series of current and forthcoming events may be seen as serious setbacks to the administration of President Benigno S….
Developing the Eastern Luzon Strategic Seaboard
Atty. Romeo G. Roxas, Romy to his friends, is having double-vision – figuratively. Standing on his corner office overlooking Ayala’s Makati development, he sees the effort put into the land, from a raw price of P50 per square meter back in the day to a steep P200,000 — a condo in Rockwell goes for P25 million. At nearby Bonifacio Global…
Proceedings of MBFs 107 & 108
The 107th Maritime Breakfast Forum (MBF) was hosted by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and held at Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, on 25 Nov 2015. Undersecretary EDWIN LOPEZ (Operations and PPP, DOTC) welcomed the attendees on behalf of SEC. JOSEPH ABAYA. COMMO. CARLOS L. AGUSTIN (Ret.) (President, Maritime League) chaired the Maritime Forums. ENGR. ENRICO FERRE…
Capt. Dan Gruta Mentors Children of Seafarers
In a recent visit to the Philippines, retired US Navy Captain Dan Gruta was invited by Joel and Tessa Yuvienco, co-owners of Ekindling Inc. (a blended learning company) to conduct a mentorship session with the school children (K- 12) of Filipino seafarers at the San Pancras School at AMOSUP’s Seaman’s Village in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Capt. Gruta accepted the offer with…
Expanding Military Budget Prompts Philippines Defense Procurement Event
Upcoming presidential elections in Philippines and a 9.2% increase in the country’s defense budget sees National Coast Watch Council Secretariat, Office Of The President partnering with IQPC Asia to host the inaugural Maritime Security & Coastal Surveillance Philippines in June 2016.
South China Sea/West Philippine Sea Dispute
About half of the world’s seaborne trade passes through the South China Sea (SCS) valued at US$5.3 trillion annually. The SCS dispute has the potential to overturn the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the constitution for the earth’s oceans and seas. For the Philippines, at stake in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are: (1) 80%…
The Sinking of SS Corregidor
Looking for an idea for this issue’s column, I reviewed my e-mail files and came across what a friend and classmate, Capt. Frank Bessenger USN (Ret) sent me in April 2011. He recalled his last tour of duty working for the late VADM John D. Bulkeley, USN as a member of the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in Washington,…
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s First Hybrid Tugboat
The first of a series of three ASD TUGs 2810 Hybrid was navigated into the Den Helder Harbour by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) on February 20th. This hybrid tug boat that bears the name Noordzee is almost 29 meters long and is the first standard hybrid tug supplied by Damen Shipyard to the RNLN.
A Partnership to Strengthen the Philippine Shipbuilding Industry
The Philippines, being an archipelago with over 7,000 islands, has a thriving maritime industry that spans logistics, ship-repair, and of course, shipbuilding of very large vessels. This has earned the country the distinction of being the 4th largest shipbuilder in the world.
Taiwan’s New President
In 16-January 2016, J.R. Wu and Ben Blanchard reported on Asia Times that Taiwan’s President-elect Tsai Ing-wen called for freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, and for a peaceful resolution to the growing dispute in the area.
Come ride the floating bus … Sakay na!
Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI) began as a family-owned and managed business that has grown from a lone 14- seater jeepney business called Ceres Liner plying a single route, to a conglomerate of transportation companies with a combined number of 4,000 transport vehicles nation wide. The company pioneered inter-modal services between Negros, Cebu, Mindanao, Leyte, Panay, and Luzon. It also pioneered inter-modal transport services…
Proceedings of MBFs 105 & 106
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) hosted the 105th MBF, led by RADM. WILLIAM MELAD on behalf of VADM.RODOLFO ISORENA, and was held on 18 September 2015 at the Hub, Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila.
Indonesian Firm picks Catamaran Design
Indonesia’s largest marine tourism operator, Bali Hai Cruises, has awarded a contract to International Maritime Consultants (IMC) for the design of its next generation day-cruise catamarans.
APECCS: APEC/APEX of the Future?
In the shadows of today’s global problems – principal among them were terrorist attacks in Paris last 13 November that claimed 130 lives with others still in critical condition (and threats of more of the same in other countries in Europe and the U.S. by ISIS terrorists) – the Philippines hosted this week the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting.
Shift Lanes To Save The Whales
Every year, about 300 whales feeding near the southern coast of Sri Lanka are hit more than a thousand times by large carriers up to 300 meters long. About 50 of these collisions are likely to be lethal for the rare Pygmy Blue Whales indigenous to Sri Lanka waters. Next year could likely be the “Year of No Return” of…
The West Philippine Sea Situation
My involvement in the Spratlys, South China Sea and West Philippine Sea issue goes back a long way. As a junior officer, fresh from the Naval Academy, I was part of a secret mission sometime in 1971. I transported troops,weapons, equipment and supplies to the islands we occupied in Freedomland, now called the Kalayaan Island Group.