Expo Maritime Philippines 2023 to help chart a better local maritime industry future

Expo Maritime Philippines 2023 to help chart a better local maritime industry future
February 10, 2023 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/02/10/expo-maritime-philippines-2023-...

The Philippine maritime industry has been a bastion of strength for the country amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, serving as the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, owing to the nation’s reputation as the crewing capital of the world.

While other business sectors understandably reeled from the impact of the pandemic caused by quarantine restrictions, some of which continue to grope for form until today, the maritime industry was the first to make it to the recovery track.

With all the Philippines’ potentials to be a regional maritime hub, which has been recognized by global maritime experts since practically time immemorial, the country still has a lot of catching up to do to finally get to that elusive dream.

For the first time since the pandemic literally swept the global economies off its feet early in 2020, a relatively new player in the local maritime industry is spearheading a gargantuan initiative that shall help chart a better and brighter future for the Philippine maritime industry.

Expo Maritime Philippines 2023, which shall be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on February 16 to 17, 2023, seeks to provide an impetus both to the government and the private sector on the opportunities and possibilities that the local maritime industry can explore and take advantage of through thinking heads and ideas leading to strategic decisions.

WMOC Group of Companies is spearheading the groundbreaking two-day industry event featuring two simultaneous conventions on flag state and shipbuilding as well as an exhibit which shall provide entertainment and business opportunities to Filipino seafarers and those in the local maritime industry.

Expo Maritime Philippines 2023 shall have top government maritime officials during its opening ceremony including DOTr Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento, MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani N. Fabia, and PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago. Keynote speakers for the inaugural event are Senators Cynthia Villar and Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa.

Other government officials expected to take part in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to officially kick-off Expo Maritime Philippines 2023 are OWWA Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio, Senator Mark Villar, Congressman Ron Salo of Kabayan Partylist, and Congresswoman Marissa Del Mar Magsino of OFW Partylist.

WMOC President and CEO Rachelle B. Lopez, who organized and produced the event says that Expo Maritime Philippines 2023 seeks to give a broader perspective to the pillars of the local maritime industry on the options available to the country in addressing some of the more pressing issues that it is currently facing in light of reports of thousands of Filipino officers losing their jobs on European-flagged vessels as an aftermath of the EMSA final report.

“The Philippines always has an option and it is about time that we explore such not as a matter of fall back but also to sail towards a brighter maritime future,” Ms. Lopez enthused.