Netherlands to help boost Philippine maritime capability

Netherlands to help boost PH maritime capability
RAFFY AYENG March 22, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/netherlands-to-help-boost-ph-maritime-capabi...

THE Netherlands has assured its close ties and firm support to the Philippines in harnessing the latter’s maritime capabilities, especially the seafaring industry.

The Dutch government guaranteed this at the sidelines of the 20th Philippines-Netherlands Joint Committee on Maritime Affairs (JCMA) meeting in Manila on Wednesday.

Organized in 1999, the Philippines-Netherlands JCMA’s main objective is the backing of high-level bilateral consultations and support on maritime affairs, highlighting the significance of the maritime relations between the involved countries.

For over a decade, the Royal Association of Netherlands Ship-owners (KVNR) has supported the enhancement of maritime educational programs of the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) in Leyte.

Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., officer in charge of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), during the meeting informed The Netherlands on the signing of Executive Order (EO) 63 and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

EO 63 strengthened the authority of the Marina in the implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers 1978, as amended.

Vingson presented the agency’s latest digital platform known as the “Marina Integrated Seafarers Management Online (Mismo)” system being utilized in the application and processing of the Seafarers Identification and Record Book (SIRB) and STCW certificates, among others.
Advertisements

He expressed his confidence in The Netherlands’ technical expertise to help the Philippines establish the infrastructure needed in the successful implementation of the agency’s plans and programs, especially those incorporated in the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP), which the Dutch visitors commended.

Lieske Streefkerk-Arts of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment assured the Philippines of its continuous support in all of its efforts to enhance the country’s maritime industries.

Both parties agreed to maintain an open line of communication to receive important reports on the country’s maritime industry until the 21st JCMA meeting scheduled in March 2020.

Filipino seafarers have been active contributors to Dutch-registered merchant fleets.

In 2012, the Dutch government and the Department of Labor and Employment sealed partnership in producing world-class seafarers through intensive, free training, which some 400 Filipinos have received.

The Dutch maritime industry has been flourishing in years, as it supplies a lot of specialized vessels such as offshore, superyachts and sustainable ships used by fleets worldwide.