Meeting the experts: DOST to aid in chartering the maritime industry's future course

Meeting the experts: DOST to aid in chartering the maritime industry's future course
Dhel Nazario July 7, 2022 https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/07/meeting-the-experts-dost-to-aid-in-charteri...

To whom can the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gain a perfect point of view about the maritime industry to plan its best future? Obviously, from the experienced experts in the field.

The agency did exactly this, as it met with 100 maritime experts, researchers, and naval engineers to map its next moves in strengthening science, technology, and innovation in its industry, DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) said on Thursday, July 7.

DOST-PCIEERD in partnership with DOST Regional Office X convened the Conquering New Horizons: The 2022 Marine and Maritime R&D Roadmap Conference to discuss challenges and how DOST can support the industry.

According to DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, the goal of the gathering is to solicit science-backed and data-driven suggestions from experts in the field.

“With the issues hounding the industry, it is important engage our stakeholders and get their views on the best ways forward. We are hopeful that with the gathering of the best minds in the industry, we can craft initiatives that are better attuned to the needs of the marine and maritime industry,” he said.

PCIEERD said that the maritime sector looks to have by the year 2028, integrated maritime safety, security, and surveillance; alternative systems for coastal, inland waterways, and inter-island transport systems; green supply chain management and energy efficiency for maritime transport; and green modernized maritime transport system.

This will be through a Maritime Research and Development (R&D) Hub based on the transport sector’s Maritime Transport S&T Roadmap 2021-2028.

Meanwhile, then DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña during his opening address highlighted that all concerned stakeholders must work together to increase the country’s maritime outputs and develop new technologies for the industry to prosper.

“The Department of Science and Technology is one with you in this shared goal. We support R&D projects in the maritime sector to become more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive through our calls for R&D proposals,” he said.

DOST-X Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban echoed Dela Peña’s statement and stated that greater collaboration with other regions and institutions can result in stronger synergism that will hasten the development of the industry.

He added that DOST-10 hopes that this will forge initial agreements that will move the region forward for greater industrial development.

Since 2017, DOST PCIEERD has partnered with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to implement the Science and Technology for Maritime Transport Applications (STMTA) to ensure that the country’s maritime transport industry will flourish from S&T activities and innovations in alternative fuels and energy-efficient water, transportation technologies, renewable energy, modernization of merchant fleets, and intelligent transport systems (ITS).