The versatile offshore patrol vessel may prove to be a vital solution to the diverse maritime threats in the GCC (Gulf Cooperating Council) Region. GULF ARAB STATES face significant challenges today, ranging from a slump of oil prices to rising incidents of domestic terrorism. However, the critical need for maritime security is one that is given precedence because of a…
During the past two weeks, events on the international scene particularly within the Asia-Pacific arena, provided an uncanny (but welcome) reprise of FVR’s younger days, which led this columnist to ask, “Does history really repeat itself?” In answer, allow us to share with our readers some personal landmarks along life’s journey. Indeed, history does in this particular episode, but hopefully,…
For the past few decades, the world experienced a big shift on how information is gathered and disseminated. The internet became a connection which is virtually unlimited. Today, it is norm to have free information – something which is uncommon during the days prior to the conception of the internet. Almost every information is already posted in the world wide…
Rolls-Royce and towage operator Svitzer have successfully demonstrated what they claim to be the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel in Copenhagen Harbour, Denmark. One of Svitzer´s tugs, the 28m Svitzer Hermod, safely conducted a number of remotely controlled maneuvers, operated from the quay side in Copenhagen Harbour by the vessel’s captain, stationed at the ship’s remote base at Svitzer…
BISON, the container tech company, this week launched the C-Lift P32, a portable container lift system that equips shipping, logistics and military operators to lift containers in any location. Recognizing that conventional container handling equipment is typically big, heavy and expensive, BISON has introduced a compact, portable and more economic alternative aimed at extending the benefits of intermodal logistics to…
The Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), the country’s first and largest classification society, has embarked on a rebranding while expanding its services to support its aim of safer shipping and increase its client base in the growing domestic fleet. Engr. William Hernandez, president of Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), says the service expansion is to meet the demand from the…
Transas has introduced a new Survival Craft Simulator (SCS) to prepare crew for the multitude of possible scenarios that can occur during lifeboat drills, aiming to address one of the most notorious sources of accidents in shipping without exposing personnel to physical danger. Effective survival craft training is essential to prepare crew for a disaster at sea but practical lifeboat…
Just 16 of the world’s largest ships are still producing as much sulphur pollution as all the world’s cars! So, what’s the key to ‘green shipping’? How do we reduce fuel consumption & emissions? Here we share the top 5 technologies that the largest shipping companies across the globe are using to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of their operations,…
There are 54 species worldwide of marine fishes called the Seahorse belonging to the genus Hippocampus, of which 14 species are known to live in Southeast Asian waters, and 10 species are known to inhabit Philippine waters. “Hippocampus” comes from two ancient Greek words, hippos meaning “horse,” and kampos meaning “sea monster.” The Seahorse has a head and neck with…
Feature story: Rearing a Maritime Nation by VADM Emilio C. Marayag, Jr. AFP (Ret). Also in this issue: Philippine Maritime Conference 2017 at the PhilMarine 2017 by Vicky Viray-Mendoza; Learning from Korea by COMMO Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret); Statement of Justice Carpio on China’s threat to go to war with the Philippines by Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; and PRS Supports MARINA with latest Technology on Probabilitic Damage Stability Calculations.
The presentation of some groups working to promote awareness of the archipelagic and maritime nature of the nation is one of the highlights of the recent Maritime Forum held last month at the National Defense College of the Philippines. This could have been triggered by the developing situations in the South China Sea and Benham Rise in the Philippine Sea….
On 12-July-2017 The Maritime League, represented by Commo Carlos L Agustin AFP (Ret), and its co-host the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), represented by Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, in partnership with Fireworks Philippines, will sponsor a full-day maritime conference entitled “Maritime Forces: Naval Defense and Non-Traditional Roles.” Five notable speakers from the maritime sector will share…
Defending one’s homeland is one of the primordial duties of the state. Our Constitution mandates the creation of a citizen armed force that consists of a small standing army and a sizeable reserve force. With a small regular armed force, our defense policy largely depends on three basic factors: the threats, the allies, and the technology. As many of us…
On invitation from the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former DILG Sec Rafael M Alunan and I took on a very enlightening journey to revisit the Republic of Korea and review anew the various conditions and characteristics that surround the tremendous progress and development of that great country. The visit was arranged by ROK Ambassador to the PH Kim Jae…
Introduction The maritime issues under consideration in this article relates to the establishment of a legal order and durable regional ocean governance mechanism addressing non-traditional maritime security concerns, initially concentrated on the South China Sea giving prominence to a narrowed ASEAN-China context, but eventually extrapolated to a large maritime setting that is the seas of the ASEAN and the Central…
China is building militarized islands in the South China Sea and ignoring international law, including in Philippine territory. Experts think China plans to build a new base on strategic Scarborough Shoal. That calls for economic sanctions, and triggering of the U.S.-Philippine defense treaty. On Monday (10-April-2017), Reuters reported China Coast Guard and industrial fishing ship operations at Scarborough Shoal, the…
The United Nations Charter outlaws the use or threat of force to settle disputes between states. In the West Philippine Sea dispute, an arbitral tribunal created under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which China is a party, has already ruled with finality that the Reed Bank is within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)…
Since becoming a nation 119 years ago, Filipinos have strived to live in freedom, an atmosphere of enduring peace and sustainable development towards a better and brighter future for us and our offspring. This brighter future is to be shared by generations of Filipinos – living and dead – who fought for freedom, dignity and prosperity, and also by us,…
The Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last 26-September-2016 with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Inc. (SONAME) to further support MARINA in its capacity-building for the full implementation of this important MARINA Circular 2015-08 on Rules and Regulations on Subdivision and Damage Stability Requirements. In this…
Shipping should expect a quantum leap in technology adoption over the next 10 years as ships are built with more automation and IT systems. Anglo Eastern Group’s Capt Pradeep Chawla said shipowners should be training seafarers to use the technology now. He is managing director for quality, health, safety, training and the environment at the ship-management group. Capt Chawla said…
INMARSAT is working with the Blue Maritime Cluster to formulate how digital disruption will transform the traditional shipping industry and open up new opportunities for ship owners, marine technology companies and others in the network for innovation. Based in Norway’s Møre region, the Blue Maritime Cluster is recognized by government as a global centre of expertise. Many of its marine…
In previous articles, we have discussed general applications of information technology in the maritime industry. We had an overview of technologies that are being used in modern ships. In this article, we will explore a new and evolving technological trend that is making an impact not just in the home and the workplace, but also in the logistics and shipping…
INTRODUCTION Ship acquisition program is a very sensitive issue, thus the choice of a proven design warship tops the list. The cost of Frigate acquisition is very prohibitive that it requires a careful evaluation and analysis of the Ship Systems Work Breakdown Structures (SSWBS), an itemized cost distribution of various components of the ship versus the desired requirements and capability…
Dear Editor, I am submitting this unique idea that can be considered under the subject of “Concept of extraterritoriality.“ —Atty. Fernando C. Campos Extraterritoriality is a concept similar to the 2 Separate Administrative Regions of China —the MAINLAND and HONGKONG. It is a unilateral declaration of CHINA as a sovereign State and was accepted by GREAT BRITAIN as a co-equal…
115th MARITIME FORUM MF 115 was hosted by the PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG), held at the PCG Building, Port Area, Manila on 30-September-2016. Commo CARLOS L. AGUSTIN (Ret), FORUM CHAIR thanked the host RADM WILLIAM MELAD, CPCG, and acknowledged HON FELIPE JUDAN, USEC DOTr for Maritime Affairs, as well as the other agency heads present in the Forum. RADM WILLIAM…