Manila, Philippines – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) welcomed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Ministry of Ocean Fisheries (MOF) of the Republic of Korea as they successfully concluded the SMART-C Traffic Project Mission in Manila, held from 28 March to 04 April 2025.

The SMART-C Programme aims to promote sustainable maritime transport systems and marine environmental protection through knowledge-building and technical capacity development in developing countries. The programme comprises several key projects, including the SMART-C Women Project, SMART-C Traffic Project, and SMART-C GHG Project, with the Philippines as one of its beneficiary countries. This four-year programme aims to establish a web-based e-navigation service platform in the Philippines and the development and implementation of GHG emission data collection/monitoring system for the Traffic and GHG Projects, respectively.

The mission includes the Inception Workshop for the SMART-C Traffic Project which served as a platform to formally launch the project, review its objectives, and establish coordination mechanisms.

This initiative also marked a significant step forward in enhancing maritime safety and efficiency by implementing advanced vessel traffic management and e-Navigation services. The SMART-C Traffic Project, in line with the SMART-C Framework, seeks to revolutionize maritime operations by optimizing vessel traffic management and integrating cutting-edge e-Navigation technologies. The recent mission served as a vital platform for the IMO and MOF to engage with Philippine maritime stakeholders, conduct comprehensive assessments, and lay a strong foundation for the project’s successful implementation.

In addition to the SMART-C Traffic Project, the Philippines has participated in the SMART-C Women Project, which promotes gender equality by expanding employment opportunities for women in the maritime sector and providing career-advancing training. Meanwhile, the SMART-C GHG Project aims to support developing countries in decarbonizing the shipping sector by establishing a management and analysis system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data from ships. The SMART-C Traffic Project specifically focuses on developing, operating, and piloting an e-Navigation service to efficiently analyze and manage maritime safety information in an internet-based environment.

IMO’s Head of Operational Safety, Mr. Javier Yasnikouski, expressed his gratitude to MARINA for hosting the mission and emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in achieving the project’s objectives. He encouraged stakeholders to share insights on challenges and existing traffic management systems, reaffirming IMO’s commitment to supporting the initiative.

This collaborative effort marks a major milestone in the Philippines’ pursuit of modernizing its maritime infrastructure while ensuring the safety and efficiency of its waterways. The successful conclusion of the SMART-C Traffic Project Mission will pave the way for future advancements in maritime technology and international cooperation.

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