The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and French Maritime Expert (FME) marked a historic moment with the launch of the ‘Concentrated Campaign on the Enhancement of the ROPAX Fleet Safety Level’ at the MARINA Regional Office IV in Batangas City on 27 September 2023.
This program is set to redefine safety standards within the Philippines’ domestic ROPAX (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger) fleet in various regions and will run until November 2023. Furthermore, the ROPAX Fleet Concentrated Campaign will address identified safety issues and ensure compliance with rules and regulations governing this type of ship.
Concurrently, MARINA conducted its inaugural assessment of a ROPAX vessel owned and operated by Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. at Batangas Port. Mr. Emeric Faure, the FME who took the helm as the campaign’s presenter, focused on the ROPAX evaluation campaign questionnaire in accordance with the Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations (PMMRR) of 1997 and other MARINA Safety Circulars.
This groundbreaking campaign was attended by Engr. Ramon C. Hernandez, Director of Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS) and Marine Environment Protection Development Service (MEPDS), Engr. Rizal J. Victoria, Director of MRO4, and MARINA technical personnel from the Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS), Maritime Safety Service (MSS), Enforcement Service (ES), MRO-NCR, and MRO4.