The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the French Embassy in Manila and OCEA SA Philippines at MARINA Central Office, Port Area, Manila on 17 October 2024, for the conduct of a peer review of the PHilippine Shipbuilding and Shiprepair industry under OECD-WP6 which is scheduled on 21-25 October 2024.

The MOA aims to provide a framework for partnership agreement among MARINA, French Embassy and OCEA for purposes of providing an assessment of the Philippine shipbuilding and ship repair industry in terms of policies, incentives implemented and planned by the Philippines to support the sector.

During the ceremony, MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said that the peer review is very essential and it could support various developmental projects and plans for the SBSR industry, as aligned with Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028. She also said that the outcome of the assessment will be useful for legislators and other maritime stakeholders to have a better understanding of the current situation in the country’s SBSR industry. The Administrator emphasized that the Philippines needs an enabling law to harness the big potential of shipbuilding and ship repair in the country. The MARINA has been pushing for the passage of the SBSR Development Bill in Congress.

Meanwhile, French Embassy to the Philippines Chief of the Economic Service Alain Fontanel is looking forward for the different activities under the peer review while OCEA Country Director Jacques Briand mentioned that this development shows the commitment of their company to the development objectives of the Philippines.

The signing was also attended by MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nannette Villamor-Dinopol, MARINA Shipyards Regulation Service Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez, French Maritime Expert Mr. Emeric Faure and OCEA SA Philippines Commercial and Marketing Manager Engr. Trisha Ellmarie Mateo.

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