Marina taps Korean, French experts to enhance SBSR

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) further enhanced the development of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry through its partnership with South Korean and French maritime experts.

Ramon Hernandez, director of Marina’s Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS), said Marina and Busan Marine Engineering Association (BUEA) have implemented the Integrated Ship Construction Support System Project as a result of the cooperation agreement signed in November 2022.

Marina and BUEA agreed to expand and strengthen the trade and business relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in the field of shipbuilding and maritime business during the Korea-Philippines Ship Technology Development Cooperation Forum in November.

Marina officials and Ambassador Hyoung Kyu Park of the Korea Offshore and Shipbuilding Engineering Cooperative (Kosec), along with his Secretary General Joung-Don Kim, visited two shipyards, the Josefa Slipways Inc. and RAJ&T Marine Services Inc., in Navotas City on Jan. 13, 2023.

Josefa Slipways Inc. Vice President Arturo Balahadia and Operations Manager Benedict Rosete and RAJ&T Marine Services Inc. President Ricardo Tuliao welcomed the delegates from Marina and BUEA.

The Marina SRS and BUEA met the domestic shipping companies on Jan.16, 2023 at the Marina Central Office in Manila.

Park said their project with Marina will enhance the development of the maritime sector, particularly in the industry of shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR), as well as the country’s domestic shipping industry.

The application of the shipping companies to avail of Phase 1 of the project offered by BUEA, particularly the conceptual design including general arrangement, outline specification, main equipment list and indicated ship price (P/I), is scheduled until Feb. 15, 2023.

Meanwhile, Marina partnered with the French Embassy in the Philippines to assist it in the assessment and effective implementation of the Maritime Industry Development Plan.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the French government will deploy a maritime expert to assist Marina, particularly in shipbuilding and ship repair, maritime safety, maritime transport security, and aids to navigation.

Marina Deputy Administrator for Operations Nannette Villamor-Dinopol said the SRS hosted a meeting between French maritime expert Emeric Faure and top officials of the Department of Transportation recently.

Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento underscored the vision of the government in developing the country’s Nautical Highway Systems and its plans to modernize and digitalize the maritime industry.

Prior to this, various risks and issues in the domestic transport sector were identified through the study conducted by the OCEA SA France which recommended the deployment of a maritime expert to the Philippines.

The French maritime expert also met officials from other government agencies such as the Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard and Office of Transportation Cooperatives.