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…
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….
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…
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…
Mr. Koji Sekimizu of Japan, who is currently Director of IMO’s Maritime Safety Division has been elected as the Secretary- General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), for a 4-year term effective 1 January 2012. Sekimizu edged out five other candidates, including our own Neil Frank Ferrer and the nominees of the Re- public of Korea, Spain, USA and Cyprus….
Stakeholders in the maritime industry has again called on the Philippine government to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) in order that it will be one of the thirty ratifying countries required for the convention to take effect. The campaign for the early ratification MLC2006 is the focus of this year’s celebration of the 16th National Seafarers’…
A strong blend of respected international speakers, a thought-provoking agenda and the presence of leading industry players is turning the 12th Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference into one of the most important international conferences to be held in the Philippines this year. The event will bring to Manila more than 350 participants representing 40 of the biggest international maritime…
The STCW convention, mainly addressing the competency and training standards for crew on board merchant ships, was amended in Manila, June of 2010 where it received a thorough overhaul. The convention first saw daylight in 1978, and then again in 1995 with the current convention which has been serving its purpose well by aligning training and certification standards across the…
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…
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…
Tanker operators as well as oil companies are seeking the deferment of the implementation of Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act until a new law is passed. The stakeholders, led by the Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (Philpesta), Association of Tankers Owners of the Philippines (Atophil), and the ‘big 3′ oil firms Shell, Chevron (Caltex) and Petron,…
The Women in Maritime Philippines or WIMAPHIL, headed by its president, Ms. Carla-Limcaoco of Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) recently sponsored a 4-day seminar at the Manila Hotel starting November 5 to 9. The National Maritime Seminar Workshop on “Environment Protection in the Philippines: Advocacy by Women in Maritime” was held in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The seminar…
The Women’s International Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA) Philippines Chapter recently inducted its first set of officers with Cristina Oben-Nazareno of Wallem Philippines as President. The induction ceremony held at the G Hotel in Manila saw several women executives and known shipping personalities gracing the affair led by Aida Dizon, Finance Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority and Atty. Brenda…