Posted on Manila Times

By William Depasupil, TMT


THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will no longer allow Philippine-registered overseas ships to sail if they are not compliant with international maritime instruments.

Marina Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued the directive following the detention overseas of a number of Philippine-registered ships for violation of international rules on navigation.

Marina Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero said that that the directive is aimed at ensuring that Philippine ships’ comply with international maritime instruments and that violations are rectified before they are allowed to sail again. PHOTO BY FAS MARITIME

In the first half of 2018, according to Guerrero, there were five Philippine ships detained in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and China for failing to comply with structural and operational standards.

“One of the ships even had multiple detentions due to several violations found,” he added.
Starting on October 20, Guerrero said, the Marina, in the exercise of its oversight function as flag state administration, will directly conduct audit of shipping companies and inspection of Philippine-registered ships detained overseas.
It is to ensure Philippine ships’ compliance with international maritime instruments and that violations are rectified before they are allowed to sail again,» he said.

As a preventive measure, Guerrero pointed out, shipping companies will be required to submit to the Marina copies of the Port State Control (PSC) inspection report within 24 hours after undergoing PSC inspection.

He also ordered shipowners to provide a detailed report that includes a root cause analysis of the deficiencies found in the ship and corrective actions agreed upon with the PSC authorities abroad.

Marina will make its evaluation based on the submitted reports.

Through strict regulation and supervision, Guerrero stressed, the MARINA targets to prevent violations involving Philippine ships plying the overseas trade, guarantees the proper condition of the ships and its equipment, and ensures that its manpower and operations follow applicable international laws.

«Marina, as a responsible member of the international maritime community and in the exercise of its flag state implementation duties, is mandated to closely monitor the performance of Philippine-registered vessels by strictly implementing safety and security standards and regulations in the maritime industry, for the protection of its crew and the marine environment,» Guerrero said.

Photo by: FAS MARITIME