MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) encourages businessmen to invest in the establishment of the first-ever maritime industrial hub under the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP).
The establishment of the maritime industrial hub from 2019 to 2028 aims to develop an attractive Philippine Ship Registry; a world-class bunkering facility and major ports development for regional transshipment in Southeast Asia; globally competitive shipyards for shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship recycling; an eco-industrial maritime park for clustering and consolidation of all maritime-related services, and; a maritime training and research center to meet manpower requirements locally and internationally, as well as technology-based and policy-related studies.
With this program, the MARINA expects to transform the Philippines as a “go-to-location” for international shipbuilding and ship repair and a central point for accumulation and distribution of cargoes for worldwide trade.
It also aims to sustain the premier position of the Philippines as the source of globally competitive maritime professionals.
Moreover, the establishment of the maritime industrial hub supports not only the modernization of shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, but also the reintegration of Filipino seafarers to work as marine surveyors, technical superintendents, and managers of ancillary industries.
The MARINA likewise views recent developments at the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction – Philippines (HHIC-Phil) as a new challenge for the country’s maritime industry, noting that it is one among the major shipyards that catapulted the Philippines to become the 5th largest shipbuilding country in the world on top of its revenue contribution due to the government and the provision of employment opportunities to thousands of Filipino shipyard workers.
The state-of-the art facilities of HHIC-Phil may be considered as an option for the establishment of an eco-industrial maritime park for the clustering and consolidation of all maritime-related services, thereby accelerating the implementation of the program.
In support of this program, the MARINA has streamlined its business processes and rationalized its policies relating to the registration and licensing of shipyards as its initial steps towards enticing investors to pour in their capital in shipbuilding.
The MARINA has also partnered with various government agencies to accelerate the processing of documents for the establishment of shipyards and other ancillary services including arrangements with financial institutions for possible funding of their needed capital.
Prospective and interested investors are invited to visit the MARINA for more information about its program on the establishment of a maritime hub in strategic locations in the country.
Reference: Marina.gov.ph
