Maritime sector moves toward sustainable development

On working towards healthy oceans and pursuing sustainable development goals, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and other maritime sectors in Region 10 holds a week-long National Maritime Week Celebration on September 23-29.
 
With the theme, “Sustainable Development: International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Contribution Beyond Rio +20,” the National Maritime Week celebration in Region 10 kicked off with a motorcade, simultaneous blowing of ship’s horn, holy mass, floral offering at sea and a press conference held at the Passenger Terminal Complex, PPA Port of Cagayan de Oro.
 
Galileo M. Garcia of MARINA said in a press conference the theme for the celebration was derived from the UN conference on sustainable development held in Rio de Janeiro on June 1992 about 20 years ago from their second meeting last June 2012.
 
“So that is why it’s Rio +20; so sustainable development and development means another 20 years of enhancement to cover the key elements of sustainable shipping,” Garcia added.
 
He also explained that the maritime sector aims to develop and implement an action program for the implementation of maritime sustainable goals concerning energy efficiency reducing carbon dioxide emission from ships, new technology and innovation, maritime education and training, maritime security and anti-piracy actions, maritime traffic management and maritime infrastructure development both in developed and developing countries.
 
To take action in these concerns, Galileo said that in energy efficiency, they are currently developing the ships-- installing faster and bigger ships as well as advancing technology with the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other monitoring equipment.
 
In the maritime education and training, Garcia expressed that starting on September 23 they will be having an audit with the maritime schools involving Southern Philippines College and Capitol University in preparation of the final round of audit which will happen sometime in October 7 to 24 throughout the Philippines.
 
With the recent tragedy involving the St. Thomas de Aquinas and Suplicio Lines in Cebu, MARINA calls for due attention from the government on maritime traffic management. Garcia expressed though that there are slim chances of ship collision in Macajalar Bay since there is a good traffic scheme in the area particularly in Tagoloan.
 
As for the maritime infrastructure development, Necitas Layola Jr. of PPA-10 said that they have continuously worked on the attainment of sustainable shipping such as the construction of the new and improved passenger terminal complex to augment their well-researched area where the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has already approved the P57M budget for the said project.
 
MARINA also stressed that since Maritime Transport System is so essential to the continued development as well as future growth of the world economy, they will continue to take the lead in supporting it with the appropriate global standards and through helping promote, through technical co-operation, the necessary national maritime transportation policies and institutional frameworks for a sustainable Maritime Transport System.
 
Furthermore, this year’s Maritime Week celebration highlights the importance of the Maritime Transportation system and provides an opportunity to discuss the matter further.
Source: PIA