The International Maritime Employers Cooperation (IMEC), the largest international organization dealing exclusively with maritime industrial relations, held its annual general meeting in London following a meeting of the IMEC Board of Directors held on the previous day. During the meeting, many areas of interest to the maritime sector were discussed including piracy, the ongoing International Bargaining Forum negotiations and the…
In anticipation of the influx of passengers that will be passing through the ports with the upcoming opening of classes come June, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are continuously and strictly adopting appropriate measures to ensure the safety, security and convenience of the passengers, ships and cargoes in the ports. Among the measures that shall be continuously undertaken especially during…
Asian Terminals Inc., the country’s second largest port operator, said that it has extra cash for possible port acquisition this year after the company disposed its grains terminal last year. Eusebio Tanco, ATI president, told reporters that the company has around P1 billion to spend for port acquisition for this year and expand its presence in the country. “Any opportunity…
In the last issue we talked about the departure of the Philippine Navy contingent that was going to San Diego in connection with the PN’s acquiring the USCG Cutter Hamilton and some concerns expressed by some in the PN forum interested in development of the Navy. The update on this is that the PN contingent would take over officially on…
The data revealed that total traffic plummeted by some 32.723 million kilograms (kg) or 5.81% to 563.080 million kg from 595.804 million kilograms handled in 2009. The data also added that Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and PAL remain the top carriers of cargo. The data also showed that cargo volume is highest in September 2010 totaling to about 58.429 million…
The Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) has cancelled all lease agreements at the North Harbor to pave the way for the increase in all rental rates at the country’s premier but most inefficient port. MNHPI has already informed their stakeholders to make the necessary arrangements with the company in order to continue their business at the port. Latest data…
In its bid to facilitate the compliance of the Philippines to certain safety issues raised by the United States Federal Aviation Authority (US FAA), flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has tapped a third party to help the country regain the category I status for its aviation industry. PAL said they already signed a contract with Tim Neel & Associates, LLC (TNA),…
Improved transport and logistics among Asian countries will result to regional integration and most importantly overwhelming trade gains, according to the lead transport economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Peter Darjes, ADB lead transport economist said over the last 5 years, Asian trade growth was at 8 percent in real terms, between Asian and the rest of the world….
“We need to seek common ground while shelving differences and enhance common security… We need to accommodate each other’s security concerns, demonstrate the utmost goodwill, wisdom and patience in settling differences through dialogue and consultation, and promote regional security cooperation so as to uphold peace and stability in our region.” – China Pres. Hu Jintao at Boao Forum for Asia,…
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) recently named Jose Manuel De Jesus as president of Davao International Port Stevedoring Services Corporation (DIPSSCOR) and Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) and Julien Domingo as general manager of DIPSSCOR. Mr. De Jesus is also the concurrent vice president for business development of ICTSI, president of Mindanao International Container Terminal Services, Inc.; and…
Government is set to impose a new ticketing system in its bid to promote maritime safety and zero accident before the start of the Summer Vacation. The move is consistent with the earlier pronouncement of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) advocating Zero Maritime accident which includes among others the promotion of passenger safety and security through the provision…
In a third issue I outlined three more issues that have not been addressed from a macro viewpoint: The Manila Bay-Cavite Wetlands, Pollution, solid waste and sewage control, and Solving the solid waste dilemma: the Tokyo Bay and other models. I now wish to address a project that I might con- sider close to my heart, having been the General…
Budget airline Cebu Pacific flew some 10.5 million passengers to different destinations locally and internationally from January to December 2010, an increase of 19% over 8.76 million carried in 2009 as the airline continues to upgrade its fleet. CEB’s growth was mainly driven by a 38% increase in international passengers, which numbered over 2.23 million in 2010. The airline also…
Oversupply of bottoms in the international trade is expected to be one of the major issues that the industry will face this year, according to a report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report showed that the trend would continue even if there is enough data showing that seaborne trade is declining which is…
by Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas Philippine Ambassador to Spain, Chairman and CEO, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. and Chairman, Filipino Shipowners’ Association (Speech delivered during the 11th LSM Manning & Training Conference, November 18, 2010) In the aftermath of the global financial crisis observers note that the center of gravity of the world economy has shifted to the Asian hemisphere. The…
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI), operators of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and Manila South Harbor (MSH), respectively are injecting modest investments starting this year to address congestion currently being experienced at their ports. The two operators claimed that they have committed the investments with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Bureau of…
It is easy to say but to make the years rolling to this point is what keeps Newsimers at the edge of its game. Especially for us, we seek the battle field and by keeping the fight we can only know what winning means and ten years insinuated we were still at the edge of our game. Newsim celebrated its…
More than two decades in business in a fickle minded industry like shipping is no small feat and staying on top is a much harder task to say the least. Maritime Resources Technology Inc. (MARITAS) on the verge of celebrating its silver anniversary has managed to do both. Head honcho, Celso De Guzman or Ka Celso to friends in the…
Somali pirates launched a wave of attacks on shipping over the Christmas and New Year period, with the hijack of five ships and attempts on others. Hijacked ships included: The Algerian-owned and flagged Blida was captured 150 nautical miles off Oman on 1 January. The 27 crew include Algerian, Filipino and Ukrainian seafarers. The Mozambican-flagged fishing vessel Vega 5 with…
Anglo-Eastern has always followed basic principles of safety and quality above anything else. As the cornerstone of their growth, from only 38 employees in 1998 to its current workforce of 360, this has been and continues to be the basis of steady but continuous growth, in the face of industry problems and global economic downturns. Anglo-Eastern’s management, from the initial…
Local carriers expect no monopoly in the local shipping industry with the recent acquisition of Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) by Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco). The two firms finally sealed the deal on December 28, 2010, or a month earlier than their mid-January target. The carriers claimed that the industry would remain level as the bulk of the country’s cargo traffic…
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) seeks to bid the construction of its bulk terminal by the second quarter of this year that will be located at the mouth of the Manila Bay and in between Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal. PPA said they are now working on the terms of reference for the development of the bulk…
For many years the main focus of seafarer’s training has been on improving the technical aspects of navigation and engineering systems to improve safety – the man-machine interface competence. Though these efforts have been very successful in the reduction of accident rates in the safety critical maritime industry, it appears that a ‘safety level plateau’ has now been reached. Accidents…
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has started to lay grounds for the establishment and development of a shipbuilding and ship-repair industry for the Asia-Pacific, which is a long-time dream not only of the agency but the entire country. To complement this industry, Marina is also looking at developing first the logistics and transshipment hub of the country which will be…