Philippines eyes world-class ship registry

PH eyes world-class ship registry
GENIVI FACTAO January 22, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-eyes-world-class-ship-registry/499986/

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has laid down plans to attract more foreign ship owners to register their ships in the Philippines.

Marina Officer-in-Charge Vice-Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. said Marina would strengthen the Philippine Ship Registry through the implementation of the 10-year Maritime Industry Plan (MIDP). Marina has undertaken measures to increase the ship registry in the Philippines, which currently stood at only 116 from 467 in 1988.

The Marina has organized workshops, consultations and conferences with private stakeholders to discuss and resolve prevalent challenges to the Philippine Ship Registry.

Marina said the things that would attract ship owners to register in the Philippines were good administration, infrastructure and fiscal issues.

One of the eight priority programs of Marina is the establishment of maritime industrial hub, which is intended to promote the country’s flag registry.

Marina has conducted regular bi-annual meeting to assess the overseas shipping sector’s overall situation. Part of Marina’s strategy is to make recommendations to change the legal framework.

These efforts led to the approval of House Bill (HB) 1288 or “An Act providing for the registration of ships and incentives therefore and other purpose” and HB 1286 or “An Act providing for the full and effective implementation and enforcement of international maritime instruments of which Philippines is a State party.”

These proposed laws aim to strengthen the Philippine Ship Registry, as well as the implementation of rules and regulations for maritime safety and security, and the protection of the marine environment.

Marina, through its 10-year MIDP, has targeted to address the key concerns in the country’s maritime sector through its integrated and holistic long-term programs.

HB 1288 notes that a strong and competitive merchant marine fleet, owned and controlled by Filipinos or corporate entities established in the Philippines, manned by qualified Filipino officers and crew, and serving as a spring board for other maritime-related economic activities, is essential to the growth of our economy.

“Our vested interest in seafaring demands that we have a fleet for our seafarers. We can only expand our fleet if we can provide a legal framework that will encourage and allow ship owners to enter into long term vessel acquisition, development, modernization and expansion programs, and provide avenues for foreign ship owners hiring Filipino crew to consider the Philippine registry as a competitive registry for their ships,” said Rep. Teodoro Brawner Baguilat, author of HB 1288.

The bill, if passed, will update our maritime laws and achieve a degree of uniformity with international maritime convention and practices.