MANILA – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through Administrator Vice Admiral Robert A Empedrad AFP (Ret), congratulated the 33 passers of this year’s Naval Architecture Examination during the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME) Technical Learning – CPD 2021-01 on Thursday, 01 July 2021, via Zoom platform.

With the theme “On the Path to Maritime Recovery,” the said annual technical learning, which was also led by SONAME Chairman Engr. Sammuel Lim and President Engr. Rizalito A. Lanoy, aims to give updates about the latest trends and insights in Philippine shipping and help participants become equipped to take advantage of the maritime recovery as COVID-19 vaccine roll-outs improve.

On the other hand, for the part of Naval Architects, this will also earn them Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units in compliance with the present Professional Regulations Commission policy for SONAME members.

During his keynote speech, Administrator Empedrad congratulated the passers, emphasizing that they may serve the nation with integrity and professionalism, as well as the Agency being in advantage for having them onboard. He also mentioned that a good number of technical personnel are registered Naval Architects and also members of SONAME, pointing out that out of 1,037 naval architects in the country, 45 of them are serving with the MARINA — three of whom are heads of offices.

“They are not only experts in their field but also dedicated and hardworking professionals. They craft our technical policies in line with local and international standards and conventions,” Administrator Empedrad shared.

The technical learning also covered several topics which were introduced by various resource speakers such as “Game Changing Maritime Policies You Need To Know – Ballast Water Management, Anti-Fouling Convention, Sulfur Cap, and Ship Recycling,” which was tackled by MARINA Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Service (SRS) and Maritime Safety Service (MSS) Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez; “Austal Presentation – On Their Catamaran Newbuildings” by Austal Philippines President Mr. Wayne Murray; and “Building The Next Generation of Naval Vessels” by Abu Dhabi Ship Building, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chief Executive Officer Mr. David Massey. Several technical presentations were also presented by other resource persons from different countries.

The MARINA, together with the whole maritime sector, aims to expand the capability and capacity of shipyards and this entails the training of world-class maritime professionals in the construction and design of ships as the Agency works toward transforming the Philippines into a go-to destination for ship building and ship repair.

The SONAME, which is a regular member of the MARINA Board, has been cooperating with MARINA in providing capacity building activities for its naval architects, as well as other engineers involved in the regulation of the country’s ship building, ship repair, ship recycling industry.