Seafarer coop group ISP to invest in shipbuilding

Seafarer coop group ISP to invest in shipbuilding
Raffy Ayeng November 13, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/13/business/maritime-business/seafar...

As an answer to the eventual phasing out of wooden-hulled typed vessels plying the domestic route, the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) will venture into building more roll-on roll-off vessel.

ISP President Capt. Gaudencio Morales said ISP would be investing into domestic shipbuilding this year. He announced this on November 8 during the final round of this year’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and ISP Business Plan Competition.

“Our decision to enter the domestic shipping industry is motivated by our desire to pursue the Philippine Maritime Industry vision, which is to build. An integrated and global maritime industry with ships built, owned, operated and manned by Filipinos that connects islands and people; creates wealth; and generates jobs for economic progress and national security,” Morales said.

The ISP previously has dealt into domestic shipping by bringing a fledging passenger ferry service in Cebu, the Metro Ferry Inc., which turned into a profitable enterprise.

Metro Ferry Inc. currently operates from Cebu Pier 8 to Muelle Osmeña, Lapu-lapu City and vice versa, providing alternative and convenient transportation between the traffic congestion in Cebu City and Mactan Island.

Morales said it was a vision than can bring about a vibrant maritime Philippines and will give business or job opportunities for the returning seafarers.

“This vision captures the modest dreams and aspirations of the Filipino seafarers the ability to create something, to see places, to have a good paying job and decent life, and a secured future. It also puts the Philippines at the center of the global maritime market, not only as provider of professional seafarers, but also as owner and builder of ships.

Asked if these plans are attainable, Capt. Morales explained that the only way to answer the question is to take the necessary bold steps towards this direction.

“That is why after getting into domestic shipping, we are now moving into ship building. Our ISP cooperative is investing in domestic shipbuilding to produce roll-on roll-off vessels that could be utilized for coastal trading and serve as training ships for Filipino cadets,” Capt. Morales added.

He explained that the ship is intended for passengers and cargoes, and will be manned and operated by Filipino seafarers and maritime cadets under the Build, Operate, Transport and Train (BOTT) Plan.

“In this process, we will be employing hundreds of people, moving thousands of goods, and paying millions in taxes to the government,” Morales stressed out, making the government to ponder why buy and import ships to other countries if we can build our own naval ships, coast guard vessels and commercial vessels here.

He said the ISP has learned that the prosperity of the maritime industry depends on the strength of cooperation among the maritime stakeholders and on the strength of partnership between the private and public sectors.

He also disclosed that the ISP is now collaborating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-NRCO to plot a National Reintegration Training Center which aims to provide seafarers another entrepreneurial knowledge and opportunity after their seafaring career.

“Empowering Filipino seafarers through an effective reintegration program is a collective project that we, along with OWWA and NRCO, should leave us a legacy to the Filipino people. Our experience is the ISP is telling us that our vision for a vibrant maritime Philippines is attainable and with God’s grace, we could witness the realization of the vision,” Morales ended.