THE chief of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has presented its decadelong industry development program to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the specialized agency of the United Nations that regulates shipping worldwide.
In a statement, Marina said it “remained optimistic” even after the presentation of the maritime industry development program, a road map that guides the Philippines to achieving its goal of “becoming a nationally integrated and globally competitive maritime nation,” to the IMO during a council meeting in London.
During the meeting with IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, Marina Office in Charge Narciso Vingson Jr. presented the major programs under the 10-year industry development program, including the development of an international maritime hub and the development of coastal and inland twaterway transport system.
He also highlighted the Philippine maritime safety enhancement initiative and the establishment of the Maritime Information Management and Technology Center.
In the same statement, Marina reported that Lim “commended” the Philippine regulatory body in coming up with the development program and “expressed optimism on the future of the Philippine maritime industry.”
Vingson, likewise, met with European Commission (EC) representatives to update them on the country’s “continuing compliance with the noted areas of improvement in the assessment report of the EC relating to the country’s implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers 1978, as amended.”
The Philippines is home to over 800,000 seafarers, roughly half of whom are deployed overseas. They transmit about $5.8 billion in remittances annually.