Paranaque City, 01 June 2024 – In a landmark event celebrating its milestone 50th Founding Anniversary, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) honored the exceptional contributions of leading entities and individuals with the prestigious Timonel for Outstanding Maritime Entity or Individual (TOMEI) Award. This esteemed accolade recognizes those whose efforts have significantly advanced the maritime sector on national, regional, and international levels.
The TOMEI Award, considered the highest honor in the maritime industry, is bestowed upon entities and individuals who have achieved exemplary performance and contributions. This year, MARINA awarded the Timonel Award to Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu, Inc. for entity category; and Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma R Santos for the individual category; and the Special Timonel Award to Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, highlighting their extraordinary achievements and remarkable contributions to the industry.
Entity Award: Tsuneishie Heavy Industries Cebu, Inc.
Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu, Inc. was honored with the TOMEI Award for its significant impact on the maritime industry. Established in Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu, as a joint venture between the Tsuneishi Group-Japan and the Aboitiz Group, Tsuneishi has made remarkable contributions, exporting a total of 350 ships as of March 2024. This achievement not only brings substantial revenue to the Philippine government but also facilitates technology transfer, generating employment opportunities for the local community of Balamban and neighboring areas, contributing to regional development.
Individual Award: VADM Eduardo Ma R Santos
Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma R Santos, President of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) and Executive Vice Chairman of the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), received the TOMEI Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to maritime education and labor. His contributions have significantly elevated the standards of maritime training and welfare, impacting both the national and international maritime sectors.
Special Award: Dr. Yohei Sasakawa
A Special Award was presented to Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the maritime sector. Dr. Sasakawa’s long-standing mission of social innovation through scholarships, grants and networking not only on maritime but also on preservation of the oceans, medical and health, among others through the initiatives of the Nippon Foundation has been instrumental in advancing global maritime development. His support extends to the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta.
The Nippon Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation with a mission to achieve a society where all people support one another through social innovation. Its objectives include humanitarian activities both in Japan and overseas, and global maritime development.
Dr. Sasakawa’s leadership in improving the quality of maritime experts worldwide through the Nippon Foundation’s support of the WMU. Since 1987, the “WMU Sasakawa Fellowship” has offered a two-year Master’s degree program, and Dr. Sasakawa has personally established the Sasakawa Fellows’ network to promote international maritime cooperation. He has also collaborated with institutions like IMLI, the UN Division of Oceans and Law of the Sea, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, creating a network of 1,099 Sasakawa/Nippon Foundation Fellows from more than 131 countries, 77 of which are Filipinos.
Dr. Sasakawa has supported the establishment of the Cooperative Mechanism in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, facilitating government and industry collaboration to protect the environment and enhance navigational safety. His efforts have also strengthened port State control through the Tokyo MoU and supported various coastguard activities, including an annual regional meeting for Asian coast guard leaders and a training program for prospective leaders.
Other Nominees for Individual Category:
Capt. Alfred G. Espinosa, Administrator of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University Arevalo, Inc.
Engr. Peter Paul B. Galicia, Associate Professor of the University of Antique
Engr. Sammuel Lim, Chairman of Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
Chief Engr. Ariel C. Mag-Isa, PTC-Komaya Shpg. Seafarer of the Year 2023 by Seatrade Maritime:Crew Connect Global Awards
Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of World Maritime University (WMU); Former MARINA Administrator
Capt. Gaudencio C. Morales, Master Mariner; Founder & President of the Integrated Seafarers of the Phils (ISP)
Ms. Mary Ann I. Pastrana, Chairperson of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, and Vice -President of WIMA Asia and WIMAPhil
Ms. Merle J. San Pedro, President of WIMA Asia and WIMA Phil; and Chair of the Movement for Maritime Philippines (MMP). President of Mariners’ Polytechnic Training Center, Inc. and Exec Vice-President of Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, President of ALS Marine Center Corporation
Engr. Eugene T. Supangan
Mr. Virmari S. Tan, Dean of BSMT – John B Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Arevalo
Other Nominees for Entity Category:
Austal Philippines Pty. Ltd.
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
Josefa Slipways Inc.-Sual, Pangasinan
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