PDF - Marinoworld

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PDF - Marinoworld

VOLUME VI • No. 2 • ISSN 1908-0972
FUSION O F MA R IT IME NE WS & VIE WS
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011
AMOSUP
On STCW Compliance
Challenges
out front
YEARS
1960 - 2010
PTGWO-ITF
• Seafarers Bill of Rights
• Bad weather, Mates
• Pinoy on Somali pirates
• Compass hosts MECA
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2011
PHP120
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US$8 €12 ¥200
FUSION OF MARITIME NE WS & VIE WS
2
FUSION OF MA RI T I ME NE W S & VI E W S
Cutting Edge
Ship Management
Setting A Global Standard
At Thome, we dedicate ourselves
to excellence in Safety, Quality and
Environmental Protection. Thome
provides a range of maritime
services under one roof.
Thome Group
mail: oﬃ[email protected]
www.thome.com.sg
3
CONTENT
Cover Story
10 On STCW Compliance: Challenges out front
Training
16 Fil Compass hosts Danish Meca
Shipping
18 Bad weather, Mates
24 Pinoy grenades face-off vs pirates
26 ISC calls for more navies in Indian Oceans
Event
20 The President commits to Coast Guard upgrades
ABOUT THE COVER
Government
MAAP graduates face
the blue yonder, keeping
brave fronts towards
the future. After all,
they are well-prepared
and at their prime for
the challenges of their
maritim e careers.
28 PH will ratify Seafarers Bill of Rights
Unions
31 Comfort zones for seafarers
Profile
34 Sabay on sea and on land
Ports
38 PPA reduces increase and by two tranches
39 US$10-million investment saves ICTSI 20% on fuel
Columns
14 Ms. Merle San Pedro’s Training Matters
36 Atty. Dennis Gorecho’s Maritime Law
MARINO WORLD MAGAZINE….
Fusion of Maritime News and Views
Have your business, products, services find their niche in the right market.
Be seen in the pages of the reader-friendly MARINO WORLD Magazine.
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Don’t be left behind. It pays to advertise!
Place your Ads now!
(632) 353-8841; 975-7578
[email protected]
www.marinoworld.info
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5
publisher’s note
Onwards
to the bigger
world
O
n our sixth year struggling to set standards, Marino World sails defiant of bigger challenges against our wider vision.
All the more poised, to live up to its name.
From inception in 2005 and through the years, Marino World holds on to its focus of helping create a synergy between
Government and the private sector in addressing concerns of our seafarers and their families.
We shall continue our media partnership with like souls and events; even international ones like the Asia Pacific Manning and
Training Conference.
Marino World shall bridge to China Maritime 2012 organized by a partner and offshore correspondent, Baird Maritime
Magazine and Baird Events, for Philippine business to get a beachhead into the booming China market.
Apart from being an exhibitor, we shall be coordinating with the Government and Philippine- based companies for their
participation which shall feature a “Philippine Maritime Day” for us to showcase our nation’s achievements and potentials.
The Baird project features a major international maritime exhibition plus a range of conferences covering vessel operations,
the marine environment, ship financing, shipbuilding, ballast water treatment, vessel enclosed spaces, and tugs and offshore
vessels.
And as we journey to China, the world’s faster growing economy, with a Philippine delegation of world-class entrepreneurs,
Government policy makers and a quality pool of professional merchant mariners, Marino World will deftly slide to a quiet
corner to get the unbiased data of the zoom, of the boom… of fingers crossed in a wish for gold to roll.
And we protect our corner while crafting the news, analyzing the views. For amid the hustle and bustle, we march to our own
blares: we are six years now --- and going solidly monthly, to a larger audience, with a finer readership.
Cheers, Marino World!
LYN BACANI
Publisher
Editorial Board
Columnists
News and Feature Writers
LYN BACANI
Publisher/Executive Editor
Ms. MARISSA OCA
Ms. MERLE SAN PEDRO
Ms. MINDA GOMEZ
RAdm ADONIS DONATO
Capt. RODOLFO ASPILLAGA
Capt. EDWIN ITABLE
Capt. Ireneo Delos Santos
Capt. JONES TULOD
Dr. CONRADO OCA
Atty. DENNIS GORECHO
Coca H. Scobar
Ligaya Caban
B. CORTES LAGAC
Editorial Consultant
GEN DY
News Editor
WALDENGRAFIX
Layout & Design
6
JOMELYN TUD
JOAMIRICA TUD
CHAI CUBILLA
JANE CABANBAN
ARNALYN CABANBAN
VANESSA CABANBAN
Marketing Assistants
Editorial Office
Unit 3810 Manila Executive
Regency, 1200 J. Bocobo St.,
Ermita, Manila
Tel. : 975-7578 ; 666-5618
Telefax : 353-8841
Hotline : 0917-5964526
MARINO WORLD
is published by
E-Comm Media Advertising Services
Philippine Copyright 2011
“...For the greater good”
I take my hat off to the publisher and publication staff of Marino World as the news
magazine celebrates six years of dedicated publication and providing the reading
public a window into the affairs of the maritime world.
Your news magazine has been a rich source of some of the most essential and
timely information on issues that affect the maritime sector today, particularly
education and training, certification and licensing, crew welfare, employment
practices, legal and legislative issues, and sustainability and growth of the industry.
Aside from these, featuring well respected personalities from the different sectors
of the society, as well as stakeholders in the maritime industry, provides inspiration
to your readers, giving your publication added dimension.
It is heartwarming to know that Marino World has sustained its commitment
of imparting valuable knowledge and information to its audience, despite the
intense competition among maritime-related publications. I am sure that your
news magazine will continue to grow in substance and patronage as you untiringly
devote your publication for the greater good of the industry.
ROSALINDA
DIMAPILIS-BALDOZ
Secretary
Department of Labor
and Employment
On behalf of the Department of Labor and Employment, I wish Marino World and
the men and women behind this news magazine a meaningful 6th anniversary. May
you continue to promote the maritime industry through your valuable contents
and relevant features.
“...A credible media”
Allow me to convey my sincere congratulations to the Management and Staff of
the “MARINO World” on the occasion of its 6th Founding Anniversary.
Undoubtedly, the “MARINO World” has served as a catalyst in the promotion,
growth and development of the Philippine Maritime Industry. It has effectively
articulated contemporary issue ranging from maritime safety to maritime training
and education which resulted into adoption of meaningful policies to maintain the
competitiveness of the our maritime industry.
Fully aware that issues relating to the welfare as well as education and training
of Filipino seafarers have become an important concern of national interest, the
“MARINO World” has again proven itself as a credible media institution by coming
out with this issue that will not only analyze the present state of our country’s
maritime training and education but also bring greater awareness of the need for
the government and industry to put their acts together to address pressing concern
of our international seafaring industry.
Hon. Emerson Lorenzo
Administrator
Maritime Industry Authority
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) assures and commits itself to support
the worthy causes of the “MARINO World” as it wishes more years a productive
and meaningful partnership for reforms and issues of mutual concerns.
7
Through the years...
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cover story
Engr. Chiongbian of PAMI
Maambong of CHED TPME
Marquez of JMG
On STCW Compliance
Challenges out front
By Lyn Bacani
A
ddressing deficiencies
identified by the European
Maritime Safety Agency
(EMSA) actually opens opportunities
for the Philippines in the next few
years to level up to 50% of the total
requirements for seafarers globally.
Filipino seafarers compose more than
30% of the world’s merchant mariners;
we are Numero Uno, almost a Pinoy
in every vessel on waters any where in
the world… and we still could max it!
Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz
expresses full confidence we can
address the deficiencies and that the
European Union will continue its
recognition of the country’s education,
training, and certification of seafarers
under the STCW Convention. The
Philippine report was submitted to
EMSA ahead of its August 31 deadline.
“The corrective actions we have
undertaken are directed towards
ensuring the continued improvement
in the quality of education and training
and competencies of our seafarers,”
adds Cruz.
EU expressed its profound concern
to the Philippines in a letter to
Ambassador Enrique Manalo, of
10
the Mission of the Republic of the
Philippines to EU in Brussels, Belgium
on 06 May 2011 quoted in part, “…
(we are) fully aware of the importance
of the seafaring profession in your
country, as well as of the relevance
of the Philippine seafarers for the
European shipping industry, and
therefore of the effects that such a
decision could have. It is however
precisely for this reason, that I would
strongly urge your authorities to take all
the measures needed to comply with the
STCW Convention.”
C/E Miguel Marasigan, OIC- Board
for Marine Engineer Officers of the
Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) also conveys positive outlook on
EMSA findings as an opening to fully
comply with the STCW Convention,
thus, gaining the trust of more
shipowners.
“… if we are already fully compliant
(with STCW), we will increase in
numbers especially on management
level officers. More Europeans are
retiring,” remarks Marasigan.
The Baltic and International Maritime
Council (BIMCO) projects an officer
shortage of about 32,000 by 2015. The
Joint Manning Group (JMG) observes
the Philippines need to produce 24,206
new officers by 2015 or 4,841 per year
starting 2010. Cadets are the long-term
source of officers.
JMG is a federation of five leading
manning associations in the country:
the Filipino Association for Mariners’
Employment (FAME), Filipino
Shipowners’ Association (FSA),
International Maritime Association
of the Philippines (INTERMAP),
Philippine Association of Manning
Agencies and Ship Managers (PAMAS)
and Philippine-Japan Manning
Consultative Council (PJMCC).
The challenge.
C/E Christopher Maambong, Vice
Chairman of the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) Technical Panel on
Maritime Education confirms the focus
of the EMSA deficiency findings is on
the education system.
“Yung EMSA Audit sa Pilipinas, ang
CHED ang may pinakamadugong
sitwasyon, sa CHED na lahat ang
tutok dahil sa* non-compliance,
because of the education system,” says
Maambong in a meeting of CHED
with stakeholders. (*On the EMSA
Audit on the Philippines, CHED has
the bloodiest situation. It is focused on
CHED because…)
Maambong reiterates that revisions are
being done so that maritime schools
11
serious deficiencies in 2006 and
2011.
Atty. Julito Vitriolo, executive
director of CHED, says the
Agency denied last September
12th the school’s motion for
reconsideration.
“Thus, no new students shall be
admitted to the said programs,
and the students of the other
year levels shall be transferred
to other CHED-compliant and
recognized programs that shall
accept said students,” declares
Vitriolo in a public notice dated
14 October.
CHED’s Metro Manila office
will facilitate the transfer
of students affected to other
recognized institutions in the
region. However, graduating
students in the current academic
year are exempt from the order.
Shipboard training.
Under the new CHED order on
“Policies and Guidelines on the
Implementation of Shipboard
Training Requirement for the
Bachelor of Science in Marine
Transportation (BSMT) and
Bachelor of Science in Marine
Engineering (BSMaRE)
Programs,” shipboard training is
categorized into two: 12 months
seagoing service and the other,
36 months.
would meet the requirement for the
Philippines to comply within a given
time element. “We cannot challenge
EMSA, they are the providers of our
seafarers. The world is watching us, we
have to be unified, or else wala tayong
patutunguhan (we come to naught),”
adds Maambong.
Closed down.
CHED shut down the BS Marine
Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine
Engineering (BSMaRE) programs at
the Quezon City and Manila campuses
of PMI Colleges after EMSA noted
12
All maritime HEIs offering
BSMT and BSMaRE programs
shall be required to have
partnership with manning/
shipping companies with a
Memorandum of Agreement or
Understanding (MOA/MOU) for
providing shipboard training for
all cadets. Schools may opt to
provide their own training ship
that is at least 500 gt and propulsion
power of 750 kw, or more.
These schools are required to maintain
a shipboard training office for the
administration and coordination of
other requirements for student cadets
undergoing the said training.
Moreover, the said CHED memo
revises the table of major and minor
deficiencies that may be incurred by
an HEI’s BSMT and/or BSMaRE
programs.
Failure to fully address and rectify a
major deficiency within three months
or a minor deficiency within six months
shall be substantial basis for the
revocation of government recognition
and the subsequent phasing-out/closure
of BSMT or BSMaRE programs.
CHED will now add inspectors to
monitor all the 94 maritime schools
nationwide.
It should be noted that by January 1st,
2012 under the Manila STCW 2010
amendments, all flagged States (and not
just EUnion) may visit the Philippines
to inspect or evaluate its maritime
education, training and certification
system.
MSAP imprimatur.
CHED records show that an average
of 18,000 students are enrolled to a
maritime course every year from 20052011. However, the Maritime Schools
Assessment Program (MSAP) results
indicate that only about 18% of the
enrolled students per year would meet
industry standards.
MSAP aims to set a benchmark for
Philippine maritime schools via a
nationwide standard examinations
given to all second year students taking
up BSMT and BSMarE. These cover
English, Mathematics and fundamental
Deck/Engine technical subjects, each
with corresponding weight distribution.
The program seeks to identify the
schools’ strengths and areas for
improvement based on the test results.
Likewise, the program aims to assist
students who performed well in the
MSAP.
JMG Vice Chairman and FAME
President Mr. Erickson Marquez points
out that MSAP is meant really to give
the school a chance to produce quality
students.
Marquez confirms that currently,
the industry’s bench marks are the
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA) and the Maritime Academy of
Asia and the Pacific (MAAP).
He observes MAAP gives entrance
examinations all over the country and
enrolls the top 500 from among the
7,000 to 8,000 aspirants. “Napagpilian
na (already winnowed),” claims
Marquez.
JMG is pushing for a mandatory
implementation of MSAP among all
maritime schools to determine whether
students can proceed to get a BS degree.
HEI apprehensions.
Aware of the anxieties of the maritime
schools, Engr. Benito Chiongbian,
President of the Philippine Association
of Maritime Institutions (PAMI)
appeals to government agencies
concerned to help them comply with
the set standards.
“Please help us. Kami (us) I can assure
you, we’re trying our very best to
comply. Kapag mabigat (when heavy),
let’s talk to each other. Hindi tayo
ang magkakalaban (we are not the
enemies). We should not be fighting
each other, let’s help each other,” calls
Chiongbian.
reality)
The FAME top official is also
proposing to get our ratings from the
bachelors degrees.
“Mahirap lang sabihin na dapat ang
TESDA huwag ng magaccredit ng
ratings course. ang ratings natin
kunin na natin sa bachelors degree*,”
exhorts Marquez.(* its hard to
say for TESDA not to accredit the
ratings course. Take away the ratings
from the bachelor degree).
Financial assistance.
Marquez urges maritime schools to find
financial source to help out deserving
students in tuition fees. He cites the
Davao Merchant Marine Academy
(DMMA) as a good example.
The PAMI president asks CHED
to consider the huge investment
each of the maritime schools
has already committed on the
ownership of the property or the
schools properties.
DMMA partners with the Development
Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in a
Study Now-Pay Later scheme in its
pilot class for the Honor Class System,
the number proportionate to the total
enrolment per year.
Under the program, DBP will pay for
the scholars’ tuition and other school
expenses, from first year college to
graduation, targeting beneficiaries from
poorer localities across the country. Marquez explains this Honor Class
System has also a manning agency
guaranteeing OJT and employment
after cadetship.
Other schools are putting cost of
money and applying 5% interest,
notes Marquez.
China Maritime returns
to exciting Hong Kong
He also airs his concern on
the difficulty to hire quality
instructors along with the CHED’s
requirement on instructors with
masters degrees.
Chiongbian frankly says he cannot
accept the suggestion of FAME for
an 85% passing rate for entrance
examinations for BSMT and
BSMarE courses.
EXHIBITION, FORUMS
and PRODUCT
PRESENTATION SEMINARS
“Even the policy of the President
is to give equal opportunity to
everybody. Sure, we have good
students from private schools, pero
pupunta ba sila sa (but will they
go) maritime, no way. Help us.
Huwag masyadong mabigat (not
too heavy),” appeals Chiongbian.
HONG KONG
Tuesday, February 28
to Thursday, March 1, 2012
Ratings prospect.
Marquez tells the maritime schools
who still would like to accept
students of below passing marks to
encourage them instead to take the
Ratings Course.
“Kasi karamihan naman sinasabi
ang ambisyon nila maging seaman
hindi maging Kapitan…basta
makasakay ok na… yan ang
reality*,” describes Marquez (*
majority say their ambition is to
be seamen, not captains. Just to
be onboard, it’s alright. That’s the
For Exhibiting and Visiting details,
please contact:
Marino World
PH: +63 2 9757 578
FX: +63 2 353 8841
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.marinoworld.info
COMMERCIAL � GOVERNMENT � MILITARY � SHIPPING � PORTS
www.bairdmaritime.com
13
Disconnects in the
world of seafarers
A
s the Year of the Seafarer
draws to a close, we realize that
the feeling of disconnection
by the maritime industry from the
mainstream industries of manufacturing,
financial/banking, telecommunication,
entertainment among others is global.
Not only in the Philippines has that deep
sentiment of wanting seafarers’ vital role
be recognized as they carry the burden of
bringing practically 90% of the world’s
goods to the hands of the consumers
across the world.
obliged to meet its commitment to EMSA
on quality of education among colleges,
many observers in the know believe that
more strategic action should be taken to
redefine and re-align policies and standards
on METIs, including its governance, if the
PHL hopes to fully resolve the issue it faces
not only with EMSA but as well as with the
IMO.
Taking the cue from the IMO’s
declaration of the Year of Seafarers in 25
June, European countries actively propagated the call
to highlight seafarers’ contribution to society in the big
events that capped their Seafarers’ Awareness Week.
The STCW single maritime administration
issue continues to hound the country
— with DOLE through MTC being the
implementing agency on STCW matters on
one hand (notwithstanding the critical roles
played by PRC and TESDA in the issuance
of certificates under Regulation 1/2 of the
STCW) and DOTC through MARINA performing the
flag/maritime administration functions coordinating
with the IMO on maritime safety.
Tapping social networks urging the world to “tweet”
and “like”, the IMO had to innovate on its campaign
strategies through social media to reach non-maritime
people and break on what they call “sea blindness”
afflicting majority of the world communities.
Since the 70s during the time of the Marcos
administration, labor export was government’s
landmark policy and seafaring then was seen as a
potential source of dollars for the country that now
stands at around US$3.8B as of 2010.
In the Philippines, considered as world’s leading
seafarer provider — this campaign in June (apart
from the typhoon factor) was not mainstreamed in
national media networks as much as interest generated
in the affairs of the heart and scandals of showbiz
and political personalities, including that of President
Noy’s.
The latter years saw schools and training centers
mushrooming all over the country churning biggest
number of seafarers for overseas requirements until the
1978 STCW began to be implemented and in 1995 saw
the PHL pooling its efforts, at all cost, to land at the so
called “IMO whitelist”.
TRAINING
MATTERS
Neither were national media so moved with stories
of tragedy that struck M/V Beluga Farolito Vallega
in January and M/T Sea King’s Christopher Cepado I
May of 2011, both victims of piracy off Somalia and
West Benin. MET and governance connection
At the core of the unresolved issue of STCW
Administration in the country is maritime education
and training (MET) — where and how it stands,
including its governance.
The recent closure of maritime programs in the biggest
maritime college (PMI Colleges) may be one major
blow in PHL METIs, indicative of the strong signal
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sent to
all other maritime colleges to shape up or ship out after
overwhelming pressures from EMSA.
While CHED’s move to order the closure of the
maritime programs of PMI reflects its seriousness being
14
As major supplier of seafarers all over the world which
now stands at about 25%, the officer share is a measly
39% of 206,526 seafarers per POEA records of 2010.
Critics claim the old curriculum was characteristically
“ratings oriented”. Internationally, maritime colleges
offer degree programs in both engine and nautical
purposively for potential officers. Acute shortage
of shipboard opportunities in the country remain a
challenge for some 90 CHED accredited maritime
institutions.
As an archipelagic country with the sea transport
interconnecting provinces and regions, our domestic
fleet, if only supported and nurtured by government
could provide enough opportunities for shipboard to
our thousands of cadets orphaned by the dire lack of
shipboard programs locally.
Ideally, MET system should have a seamless and
cohesive set up, having distinct programs in education
and training. Course structure in Warsash Maritime
Academy of Southampton Solent University in UK
has Officer Cadet Programme consisting of a number
of training phases, alternating between phases at the
Academy and phases at sea board.
Programmes are structured into phases at the Academy
where officer cadets develop the “underpinning
knowledge” required for professional certification
(COC) by MCA. In addition to their academic studies,
they undertake a number of safety and survival courses
during their cadetship.
Operational competence as wathckeeping officers and
practical shipboard experience are gained while aboard
ship with adequate shipping companies as partners.
Because Britain is a major force in the international
shipping and its commercial shipping a significant
contributor to the economy, this cadet programme has
proven to be successful.
Those who take a diverse path from being Masters and
Chief Engineers have the chance to move ashore and
pursue other equally exciting opportunities available to
experienced officers in shipping and port management,
ship broking, maritime law, surveying etc.
curriculum and even in governance.
PHL academic curriculum integrated STCW courses/
modules in cadets’ curriculum in maritime colleges
whose core competence through the years has been only
in the delivery of education. While Training Institutions
developed a distinct niche in the early 80s training
thousands of seafarers and investing on facilities and
resources in the conduct of STCW courses.
Realizing the great challenge of meeting the
requirements internationally, METI associations such as
PAMTCI and PAMI have closed ranks to enhance their
capabilities independently and jointly.
While it’s tough act to replicate a system similar to
that of UK without the right economic (and political)
environment hinged on a vibrant shipping industry,
METI institutions need to continue to work with other
sectors specifically shipping and manning to find the
best fusion of quality in the performance of METI
function and avail of shipboard opportunities.
And maybe not forget, relentlessly “tweet” the
portals of power to decisively lay down policy
and infrastructure support to CONNECT the
I was privileged to have visited the campus together
DISCONNECTS in maritime.
with some of members of the PHL delegation during the ___________________________________
review of the IMO’s STCW in 2009 and had a chance
 MS. MERLE JIMENEZ-SAN PEDRO. President of
to be oriented with their refreshing MET system.
In contrast to a ship owning country’s roadmap, the
PHL being primarily “labor supplier” has embarked
on a route less travelled -- that spells complications in
the Mariners’ Polytechnic Training Center (MPTC). Past
President of the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers (PAMTCI). Auditor of the Women in Maritime
Philippines (WIMAPHIL).
15
TRAINING
Compass President Daks Villanueava.
Another First
Fil COMPASS
hosts
Danish MECA
A
gain, COMPASS leads the pack
after posting the first training
center in the country to offer
Tanker Officers Training Standard
(TOTS).
Now, COMPASS marks another
milestone by being the first to offer the
Danish Medical Care (MECA) in the
Philippines.
Competent Maritime Professional and
Sea Staff or COMPASS underscore that
before, these critical courses may only
be studied in Denmark or India.
COMPASS President Daks
Villanueva says these twin headstarts are testaments to their corporate
commitment of a quality training
center, world-class on its vision.
A pilot class was held last August
29th at the convenient COMPASS
classrooms located at Taft Avenue, a
major commuter hub in Malate, Manila.
Villanueva underscores, “Just imagine
leaving your family to go to Denmark
or India spending for visa, fare, and
16
Practical training.
board hotel accommodation plus the
course fee of US $2,200 (US$2,600 in
Denmark).
treatment onboard (mostly management
level officers) must take the course,”
explains Gyaard.
With the successful launch, COMPASS
executives are well-prepared to service
seafarers and manning agencies, more
so with Danish shipowners.
He also clarified that only instructors
from DMA are licensed to conduct the
course. He says they are 10 instructors
from DMA with about 1,200 to 1,500
students in Denmark.
Mandatory Course.
Under the Danish law, all masters
and/or designated medical officers
responsible for treatment onboard
Danish owned and controlled vessels
must take the MECA.
Senior officers are trained as officers
in charge of medical care on board
Danish ships. Junior officers are trained
as assistant officers, primarily with
extended training in first aid. Mr. Rene Gyaard and Mr. Kent Jensen,
both experienced nurses and employees
of DMA, conducted the pilot classes for
the Danish MECA.
“It’s a mandatory course. In order to
work on Danish-flagged vessels, the
master and persons responsible for
DMA will certify MECA compliance
only upon successful completion of the
course.
Stringent Training.
The Danish MECA is a five (5)
whole day course conducted only by
authorized medical practitioners from
the DMA. The course is more specific to Danish
flagged regulations - very strict and
advance. However, the content of this course
could also be useful to other nonDanish flagged vessels that require
more advanced medical care training
for their officers on board. Included in the MECA syllabus are first
aid, malaria prevention and treatment, teeth
examination and treatment, medicine handling,
intravenous needle and drip, and dealing with
mental crises and illness.
Trainees are limited only to eight (8) participants
per instructor. This allows each trainee to have a
practical experience on the equipment they will be
using during their training.
“We want to see everything they do, each single
thing. They do the injection on each other. Some
of these procedures are potentially dangerous if
you don’t do them correctly, so we need strict
supervision,” explains Gyaard.
The Danish MECA is a mandatory training
requirement for all Master and/or designated
medical officer boarding Danish flagged vessels.
This Danish legislation was already enforced in the
90’s but Danish nationals complying Denmark’s
maritime industry (specially those in Management
Level) is not open to foreign nationals.
It was only in the recent years that the Danish
maritime industry accepts foreign Management
Level Officers in their vessels. Thus, the need for
the course to be offered in the Philippines.
For inquiries, contact COMPASS Sales and
Marketing Department at (632) 536 2368, (632)
528 1035, (632) 450 0138 or email sales@
compass.ph.
Trainees do the injection on each other.
17
MARITIME GLOBAL SITUATIONER
Armed and getting vicious.
BAD WEATHER, MATES!
By Coca H. Strobar
I
t’s more than an inter-tropical
convergence zone, fast developing
into a super typhoon --- and
tsunamis all over other sectors:
economic, political, cultural, ad nausea.
Should we be alarmed? Bet your life on
it, Mate!
The global economic situation makes it
grinding for the maritime industry; not
even to expand but merely to survive.
Prophet of doom, yah?
Not yet, but deeply alarmed. Fact
is, shipping giants have already
sunk into bankruptcy: Korea Line,
The Containership Co. and Omega
Navigation Enterprises, big ticket
casualties just for this year.
traditional (again!) peak-of-season
freight surcharge, shipping rates are
expected to fall further in the last
quarter, predicts Geofrey Cheng,
analyzing for BOCOM International.
European routes tumbled 56% to an
average $807.86 per 20-foot-equivalent
unit (TEU) against $1,842.67 for the
Third Quarter per data from Shanghai
Containerized Freight Index (SFCI).
The second whammy, oversupply
of vessels, is due to delivery of new
ones ordered about three years ago
when times were good. And this
is compounded by current surplus
capacity of the world’s fleet that used to
move 80% of goods worldwide.
Rates from Shanghai to the US
West Coast fell 40% year-on-year to
$1,639.93 per BOCOM International,
tracker of index compiled by Shanghai
Shipping Exchange.
Shares of Hong Kong-listed container
shipping firms have lost more than half
of their market value, dropping 27% in
the blue chip Hang Seng Index.
The third is piracy which is a major
factor, unabated and expanding in
areas and frequencies. Pirates are now
even using “motherships” to intensify
buccaneering raids that are so profitable
for the brigands.
The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) has warned the West could slip
back into recession if solutions are
not quickly applied to the economic
problems. Obviously, travails of the
West will infect the rest of the world.
A triple whammy is haunting the
maritime industry: low freight rates
(and sinking), a glut of vessels (and
increasing) and piracy in the Gulf
of Aden and Indian Ocean (and
expanding).
The downward spiral is seen on the
6.8% drop of China COSCO Holdings
and 3.5% on Orient Overseas (Intl) Ltd.
In real terms, COSCO dived 63% while
Orient melted 60% in current trading
last week.
Rock-bottom freight rates were
occasioned by the recent recession
in the United States and Europe.
Movement of goods went down hence
freight rates lowered in the fierce
competition for clientele.
COSCO is China’s premier shipping
firm and given faltering Western
demand (i.e. on shoes, clothes and
furniture from the world’s factory of
China), it joins other shipping firms sit
on extra capacity this month. This is
alarming as October is traditionally a
peak season due to Christmas orders.
The banking industry, a major partner
of the shipping sector, has taken a
proactive initiative. Executives from
the world’s top banks (i.e. Dnb NOR,
HSH Nordbank and Deutshe Bank)
have met in Singapore at the tail-end of
September with maritime moguls. They
tandem “to discuss survival, recovery
and opportunities in this gloomy
economic environment” (Reuters).
Instead of being able to levy the
In their usual caution, banks are now
“We can’t see any major factors that
can help stimulate US economic
recovery and Europe’s situation is
18
even worse,” laments Executive
Director Sunny Ho of the Hongkong
Shippers Council (representing main
exporters in Hongkong; in turn, a major
international shipping centre).
demanding 50% down payment to get a
loan, up from the usual 20% only of the
value of the vessels.
This spins another nightmare.
Challenged already by a depressed
freight market, shipping companies
are forced to use their reserves to buy
vessels and expand their operations
since banks have tighten credit lines.
This is how medium-sized firms are
staying afloat berthed against industry
giants as A.P. Moller-Maersk and
Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC).
Piracy also takes a huge toll on both
shippers and shipping. Just recently, a
Mongolian-flagged but Vietnameseowned vessel paid $2.6 million to free
24 Vietnamese sailors
and its 22,835 ton bulk
carrier, Hoa"#%!
Son Sun.
*
Ban Ki-Moon through spokesman
Martin Nesirky.
Mr. J. Peter Pham of the Atlantic
Council think tank believes, “ While
al-Shebab has clearly been weakened…
by dwindling financial resources,
internal discord, and a loss of political
legitimacy – to say nothing of the
elimination of key leaders – its demise
is by no means inevitable.”
But a beacon keeps banks on the prowl,
that of the offshore energy sector. With
oil prices expected to remain high, both
banks and investors are bullish on this
rare bright spot in the shipping industry.
Mr. Gervais Green has been quoted,
“In the offshore sector, there are some
#
There is cautious optimism in this
opportunity as banks fiercely compete
to finance lucrative projects. On
the other end, banks may tighten
the credit noose for smaller players
to accommodate billion dollar
requirements of mega projects.
Banks normally do not risk all
resources into one niche.
And thus further burden the survival
modes of the mainstream maritime
industry.
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firm Norton Rose.
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19
THE PRESIDENT
COMMITS
TO COAST GUARD
UPGRADES
By Coca H. Strobar
F
or the first time in Coast
Guard, the President of the
Republic graced its anniversary
celebrations.
President Simeon Benigno C. Aquino
III reviewed the honor guards who
welcomed his arrival at the 110th
founding year of PCG last October
18th, inspired by “Tanod Baybayin ng
Pilipinas: Para sa Malinis at Ligtas
na Karagatan Tungo sa Kaunlaran
(Philippine Coast Guard: For Clean and
Safe Seas to Progress).
With the President is Secretary
Manuel Roxas II of the Department of
Transportation and Communication
(DOTC) to which PCG is an attached
agency. Among honored guests are
other senior Government officials, and
executives of the international and
domestic maritime community.
expertise.)
PNoy also highlights PCG’s service
in the recent series of super typhoons
where its Deployable Response Teams
(DRTs) rescued and evacuated some
4,548 residents. PCG distributed
some 3,000 packs of relief goods in
communities isolated by typhoons
Pedring and Quiel.
The President concludes with
a commitment of support to
PCG.
“Makakaasa kayong habang ginugugol
ninyo ang inyong oras at pagod sa
pagbabantay ng ating karagatan, doble
kayod din ang ating administrasyon sa
pagtugon sa inyong pangangailangan.
Bakit nga ba natin ginagawa ang lahat
ng ito, dahil sa mahabang panahong
nabalewala, hindi lamang ang mga
pangangailangan ng ating Coast Guard
kundi maging ang mga aspeto na dapat
ay nagpapatatag sa isang bansa.”
(Rest-assured that while you are
spending time and effort in watching
our seas, the Administration is also on
double-time to answer your needs. Why
are we doing all these; because for a
long while it was for naught, not just
the needs of our Coast Guard but even
other aspects that should stabilize our
nation (again, a usual dig against the
past administration).
Support.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ramon
C. Liwag, in expressing gratitude
cites Executive Order No. 57 which
hands on the responsibility to PCG in
spearheading the National Coast Watch
Center under the National Coast Watch
System.
The Center converges and processes
information on threats to Philippine
maritime security, and the coordinating
center for operations against poachers,
pirates, terrorists, and other threat
Speaking mostly in the national
language in his keynote address, the
President underscores the pivotal role
of PCG, viz:
“Sa mahabang panahon naging
masipag at tapat na katuwang natin
ang tanod baybayin ng Pilipinas
para sa ligtas, malinis at payapang
karagatan. Mula ng pagkakaroon ng
Lighthouse service at ng pagpapatrolya
laban sa iligal na pagpasok ng mga
dayuhan, wala talagang itulak kabigin
ang husay ng inyong propesyon.”
(For a long time, we have partnered
with the hardworking and loyal Coast
Guard of the Philippines for a safe,
clean and peaceful seas. Since having
the Lighthouse Service and patrols
against illegal entry of aliens, we
cannot find fault in your professional
20
Admiral Liwag with the President and DOTC Secretary Roxas.
groups.
“The PCG will hit the ground running
at the launching of the National
Coast Watch Center since the skill set
necessary for coast watch operations
are already embedded in every Coast
Guard personnel per our experience
in the operation of Vessel Traffic
Monitoring Systems, coordination
of search and rescue operations, and
information fusion,” says Liwag.
Further, Congress raises PCG’s budget
from Php2-billion to Php3-billion.
With the funds, PCG can procure
multi-role response helicopters that
can inter-operate with the agency’s
vessels in search and rescue operations
and armed encounters.
Recognition.
President Aquino gave out awards
to PCG, auxiliary volunteers and
groups which supported the PCG
in its mission as ‘guardians of the
sea’, search and rescue operation,
marine environmental protection, and
humanitarian undertakings like medical
missions.
Among the awardees are PCG
Special Operations Group (SOG),
SAR emergency medical and relief
operations teams as major players in
life-saving tasks during the onslaught
of typhoons Pedring and Quiel.
Commo. Luis Tuason, Commander
of District National Capital Region –
Central Luzon, received a Coast Guard
Legion of Honor with the Degree
of Maginoo for the effective and
sustained Coast Guard operations in
the provinces of Batangas, Pampanga
and Nueva Ecija.
Mr. Norio Matsuda, the Chief
Representative of the Japan
International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) received a plaque of
recognition for JICA’s continuing
support.
Activities.
PCG and the Philippine Coast
Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) carried
nationwide search and rescue
(SAR) exercises, orientation and
briefings; medical, dental and optical
missions; community, family care
and humanitarian undertakings with
spiritual enlightenment, the latter led
by Mrs. Maria Fe Genabe-Liwag, the
Commandant’s wife.
To date, PCG has a roster of 6,000
uniformed personnel complimented
by 10,000 PCGA members headed by
Vice Admiral Higinio Mendoza.
The Commandant with the foreign dignitaries.
PCG READY FORCE
LEVELS UP ON 4TH YEAR
A
n impressive field arrival honors
welcome Admiral Ramon C.
Liwag as he graces the Fourth
( 4th) Anniversary celebrations of Coast
Guard’s Ready Force.
Force Commander Capt. Leopoldo
V. Laroya led the honors immediately
followed by ceremonies and program
inside the covered court of HCGRF at
Pier 13, Port Area, Manila., morning of
14 September.
The two-week affair actually kicked off
August 25th with a mini sportfest between
Manila and Cavite personnel. The contest
among those afloat and ashore is actually
a team-building technique for a stronger
esprit de corps.
A series of seminars was packaged
to ensure those manning PCG vessels
have proper knowledge and skills. These
complements the anniversary theme,
“Responsableng Paglalayag Tungo
sa Matuwid na Landas” (Responsible
Sailing Towards the Straight Path).
Capt. Laroya emphasized his priority
of properly maintaining floating assets,
a total of 47 composed of of 14 capital
ships and 33 small crafts.
He proudly acknowledged PCG teamup with the private sectors, prominently
with Gen Diesel, Exact Training Center
(ETC), and Philcamsat.
Gen Diesel gave repairs to the Force’s
small crafts. At the same time, PCG
personnel are sent to Gen Diesel repair
centers to train on engine maintenance
while engines are being overhauled. This
is a hands-on approach complimented by
on-site guidance by experts.
ETC provided free trainings on safety.
Electronic Chart Display and Information
System (ECDIS), engine resource
management, engine and radar simulator,
radar navigator, deck watch keeping,
shiphandling and manning.
Philcamsat pitched in free trainings that
include various simulators on ECDIS,
collision avoidance, bridge teamwork,
ship buildings and other navigational
skills.
The Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) was cited as a partner
and consultant on human resource
development. JICA’s Masahiro Hasegawa
initiated talks with Magsaysay Shipping
on the use of the latter’s local vessels
for job training abroad. An agreement is
now being prepared to operationalize the
concepts.
JICA also distributed 20 sets of life
vests and hardhats, a part of its donation
that includes two seven – meter utility
crafts with outboard motors.
Talks were also initiated by JICA with
the Manila Yacht Club for basic sailing
training to know the effects of wind and
current on ships. Twenty PCG personnel
may be trained to form the core group.
Aside from mandated duties, the group
may compete in local and international
sailing events.
Presented to Admiral Liwag were
sets of Ore Manual Books 5 and 6 for
MCS vessels since PCG mans this type
owned by BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources) of the Department of
Agriculture.
A batch earned the Boat Captain Badge
for new small craft skippers. Boat Captain
plaques were awarded to those who
finished their billets as Boat Captains.
As a matter of Command priority,
Capt. Laroya stressed a strict regimen
of fuel management. Ready Force is
committed to respond immediately and,
thus, maintains an 80% fuel capacity to
meet even sudden emergencies.
A touching highlight of the celebrations
was the memento given to Admiral Liwag,
his portrait from a mosaic of photographs
of his childhood and career path. The
Commandant, visibly emotional, proudly
lifted the gift for everyone to appreciate
its artistry.
21
Academy in the offing
JICA ON EDUCATION, MARLEN
By Ligaya Caban
The headquarters of the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) is by scenic Manila
Bay, leap-frogging through the piers
to Parola (lighthouse), a PCG base
that holds a few of its Commands.
To access, one has to snake through
a community of informal dwellers:
hodge-podge, threatening, marginal.
The area never recovered from its past.
An “address” and a promenade in the
Spanish era, it was ruined in World
War II. Yes, Japanese Axis forces did
some torching and explosives. But
it was really the mortars, howitzers
and bombs of the Allied liberators
that powdered Manila. In all the war
theaters, only Warsaw, Poland suffered
more.
But at the gates of the Parola camp,
there is an interesting sign on the wall.
Not the usual lewd, angry graffiti of
blighted areas. Instead, a declaration of
pride, a statement of hope:
Coast Guard Education
and Training Command
ALMC Class 05-2006
“Pagkakaisa”
To a jaded bureaucrat, it is just another
signage; of groupies aping PMAers
mistah tradition.
Positive implications.
Perhaps. But one should read pride
in its achievement “memorialized” at
the entrance of the base. From years
unremembered but still heralding
PCG has the aspiration to grow
professionally. And this, through
education and training.
Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) is the major mover,
consistent with its role as a channel of
Japan’s goodwill and wealth. But we
give it the respect we do to balikbayans
with her chocolates and goodies. And
cash. There is not much warmth, just
gratitude and polite thank yous.
Until we can feel genuine concern from
the staff. Until we can build a comfort
zone of mutual assurance. Genuine
22
partnership, a sincerity to help without
lording it over. And currently, there is
that gentleman on the JICA seat at the
PCG Parola.
A driving force.
Masahiro Hasegawa earned in 1981
a Nautical Engineering degree
from Tokai University at Shizuoka
prefecture. Following year, he went on
board as a Merchant Ship Deck Officer
and plied Southeast Asia and the Gulf
for eight years.
Even on a full-time stint, he managed
to earn six professional licenses and
certificates like IMO’s COW, STCW’s
Master/Chiefmate, Engineer Officer,
Advanced Training and Project Cycle
Management (PCM), both participatory
and monitoring.
He went offshore in 1992 to join Japan
Intl service Center and became a JOCV
Volunteer on nautical engineering in
Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The next 14 years, Hasegawa traveled
for JICA as expert/adviser on coastal
fishing technology and resource
management. From Kanagawa Center,
he went to the Domincan Republic
(’93), Argentina (’97), El Salvador
(’01) and Morocco (’04).
Education and training.
With JICA’s technical cooperation
agreement with the Philippines via
PCG, Hasegawa was first dispatched
here on September, 2005 as a
coordinator and technical adviser on
shipboard training and general project
management.
On November 9, 2007, JICA’s Norio
Matsuda and PCG’s Ramon C. Liwag
signed another five-year technical
cooperation, PCG’s Education and
Human Resource Management System
Development Project.
Hasegawa’s tour was renewed in
January 2008 as Ship Operations
Expert/Coordinator and technical
adviser on Shipboard training and
general management of this project.
He being a senior on the job, Marino
World sought his views on the status
and import of the joint Japan-Ph PCG
JICA’s Project Coordinator Mr. Masahiro
Hasegawa.
upgrade project.
The core of commitment.
Hasegawa confirms JICA commits to
three major tasks, viz
Dispatch Japanese experts
Provide machinery and equipment
Train Filipinos in Japan.
On 1), three experts came here already
from Japan; two from its Coast Guard
and a Merchant Mariner.
On 2), database server, software and
terminal computers are now operational
for the Permanent Faculty System with
peripherals. About 40 IMO course
books and charts have been delivered
with literature on coastal navigation,
engine maintenance and like topics.
The high speed rubber boats for
MARLEN training were cancelled but
substituted with a 23-foot fiberglass
boat with an outboard motor of 50hp.
Sixteen sets of boarding equipment are
in with search and rescue equipment
ordered, just waiting for delivery.
time for instructor duties).
That’s the easier half of the problem,
Hasegawa observes.
Problems in navigation.
Ship operations is another ball of
wax. Merchant mariners take years
to familiarize themselves with their
vessels. Yet PCG staff are shuttled from
vessel to vessel, dependent on service
exigencies. How can they master the
three basics, at least: boat handling,
coastal navigation and engineering?
But count blessings and little victories.
The Project has developed and printed
six operational readiness manuals:
Books 1 & 2 for 56-meter boat; Books
3 & 4 for 35-meter boats and Books
5 & 6 for 30-meter BFAR vessels.
They aim to finalize Book 7 & 8 for
Navigational Buy, the largest PCG
vessel donated by JICA in 1992 yet.
On 3), about 18 Filipinos were trained
in Japan on Maritime Law Enforcement
(MARLEN) centered on environment
protection, search and rescue, and ship
operations. They studied separately
across Japan and stayed dependent on
the length of the courses taken.
Tokyo and Malacanang.
And the First Secretary of the Japanese
Embassy here continues to attend
as observer meetings of the Joint
Coordinating Committee and the
Steering Committee. He is often seen
in PCG functions and openly amiable
to functionaries. This should reflect
Tokyo’s running interest on the Project
which should translate to continuing
support.
Capacities calibrated.
Land and facilities provided for by
Ph are barely adequate but Hasegawa
really doesn’t mind. After all, JICA
insists on immersion with their local
partner/client And he is pragmatic
to accept surprises on government
funding. But Hasegawa strongly
believes professional commitment
should override unexpected shortfalls.
He explains the project Master Plan
revolves around MARLEN, where PCG
is mandated to focus on. Broadly, these
are in three categories, A) Police force,
i.e., anti-terrorism, piracy, smuggling,
illegal fishing; B) MARPOL or
maritime pollution and C) Navigational
safety.
Junior and middle grade officers (about
10%) and ensigns (about 90%) are
trained separately since their tasks and
protocols are different. Procedures
developed during the trainings should
synergize action of Command and
functionaries.
On the first 5-year phase of this project,
Ph hosted about four international
seminars with participants from
Southeast Asia like Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand. The aim is to
standardize regional procedures among
stakeholders. But due to reduced
funding, development is in hibernation.
As in any of JICA’s project, priorities
are calibrated vis-à-vis realities.
Decisions are based on costeffectiveness. Simply stated, money
should be spent where maximum
The operational readiness manual.
mileage/results may be obtained.
Structural hurdles.
On a scale of 1 to 10, it seems PCG
personnel assigned to the project scales
only to 3. This is not surprising because
rotating internal policy does not assign
the best but only the available. PCG
elements must change posts every
three years or shorter. Otherwise, they
stunt their careers and by-passed in
promotions. Notable exceptions are
those in technical services (nurses,
doctors, dentists, health technicians)
and band members hired as such.
For a ship-shape PCG, a good
educational system must be developed.
For this, a Permanent Faculty System
must be established. The Project is
yet wrestling with faculty eligibility,
outsider qualifications, career
implications, the likes, as it makes do
with Concurrent Instructors (assigned
as staff of CGEducation and Training
Command (CGETC) teach specific
subjects and devote a large portion of
On the other end, President Aquino
gave almost a full day at PCG’s recent
anniversary celebrations. He publicly
expressed elation on the heroics of PCG
during the series of super typhoons that
raged in the country.
All told, political leaderships are lighthearted on the PCG for being able to
maneuver things on limited resources
buoyed by gumption and devotion to
duty. Hasegawa appears to see this and
contributes his own selfless pitch.
Despite being a Tokyo urbanite reared
in blazing lights and aseptic board,
Hasegawa internalizes the whys and
works for the why nots. For he retains
that volunteerism in the Solomon
Islands which triggered his career
shift. He may be an ordinary Masahiro
(a name as common as Jose and Juan
here) in Japan but has displayed extraordinary ethics in his tour of duty.
With him and JICA’s seedlings on
education and MARLEN, the Project
could germinate to a PCGAcademy,
much like the PMA of the military, the
PNPA of the police.
After all, PCG is at par being the third
uniformed armed service of the country.
23
SHIPPING
Pinoy grenades face-off
against Somali pirates
By Ligaya Caban
“When God closes the door, He opens
windows.”
This truism can again be seen in the
current global concern on the piracy in
the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean
--- and expanding.
For as the world reacts, a window of
opportunity opens to a Filipino firm
long overdue in the international scene.
At least, in the niche of specialized
ordnance; more particularly, its
retractable rifle grenade, 40mm, highly
explosive.
Developed by Creser Precision System
(CPSI for the Philippine military.
Patented and field-tested by hardcore
troops. Earned top honors from the
Department of Science. Fueled by
100% Filipino mind and money;
powered by nationalism being the
last of the pioneers of the Self Reliant
Defense Posture (SRDP) of the Armed
Forces (AFP).
The Cross Point.
Piracy against merchant ships are
expanding at the Horn of Africa,
first at the Gulf of Aden and
streaming to the Indian Ocean
--- originating in the State of
Somalia, now in chaos and
fragments.
brokered by major regional authorities:
Somaliland, Puntland and Galmundug.
The country is dirt-poor but awash
with ransom dollars. Pirate bands now
operate with motherships for faster,
meaner and broader preys.
A Window Opens.
Piracy has grown from a fairly ad hoc
disorganized endeavor to a highly
developed transnational criminal
enterprise operating in 2.5 million
square nautical miles, claims an expose’
in a United States Congressional
Committ6ee hearing.
US Asst. Secretary Andrew J. Shapiro
declares before Congress that “… it
is notable that no vessel with armed
security team embarked has been
successfully hijacked.”
NATO has organized Operation
Ocean Shield and Europe has its own
ATALANTA. The United States Naval
Forces Central Command maintains
NAVCENT against the pirates, too. The
forces protect 463 miles at the Gulf
of Aden called IRTC (International
Recommended Transit Corridor).
This guarantees safety but expands (or
transfers) piracy beyond this marshaled
ocean corridor.
UN’s IMO (International Maritime
Organization) has endorsed the use of
private armed guards to protect ships
from pirate attacks. Currently, about
one of 10 ships off the Somali coast
already carry armed guards. This
is likely to rise with the UN-IMO
endorsement of the practice.
The “rule” of law is imposed
by an impotent Transitional
Federal Government (TFG)
From 1981 supplied DND 60mm and 81mm MORTAR FUZE.
24
This trend is the golden opportunity
for a Filipino invention to sell and sell
good, being with the right product at
the right demand.
In 2008, no less than 3,500 seafarers
have been taken hostages. A Filipino
has been registered a fatality since 90%
of the 140 Philippine-flagged vessels
pass the notorious pirate zone. And
Filipino seafarers board a third of the
world’s merchant fleet.
To crack the global market, Creser may
first service Philippine-flagged vessels
to gain a beachhead in the export
bounty. At the same time, this will
create new skilled jobs for the country.
Admiral Ramon C. Liwag,
Commandant of the Coast Guard
(PCG), was unanimously elected last
March as head of ReCAAP (Regional
Agreement in Combating Piracy and
Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia).
He declared in his base in Singapore
that the increasing use of armed guards
is an effective deterrent (against
piracy).
Mr. Dom Mee, President of
PVI (Protection Vessels Intl)
called for immediate guidelines
to support armed guard
15 Nov 2008: Saudi-owned VLCC Sirius Star captured by pirates 450 miles offshore, 25 crew members on board 2M barrels crude oil, value
£68 million Pirates anchored off Somali coast of Somalia $25M ransom demanded, ship released 9 Jan 09 after $3M paid.
security during a meeting among major
maritime leaders at SAARPSCO (South
Asia and Africa Regional Port Stability
Co-operative) at Seychelles last March.
Pinoy Comes Along.
This is now a defining moment for
Creser and its retractable rifle grenade
(RRG) as an ideal accessory for
M16 rifles, an overwhelming weapon
of choice for long arms by security
professionals.
Creser’s RRG has a range of 100
meters or higher and a lethal radius of
five meters. As a safety feature, RRG
will not arm nor explode less than ten
meters.
One can carry six RRG in a bandoleer.
Previous to Creser’s RRG, troops
can carry only two of the tacky and
cumbersome “flashlight”, so named for
its bulk and hassle.
RRG arms in seconds (pull-tuck-fire).
In a wink, six riflemen morph into six
grenadiers! No need for launchers; and
you have six, not just two defensive fire
power to intimidates pirates.
Solid Credentials.
Creser has been in the ordnance
business for over three decades. It is the
only fuze maker in the country then and
now. It services the mortars of the AFP;
even the various bomb models of the
Air Force (PAF).
In 1994, Creser was hosted to a posh
dinner by Minister Abdul Razak, then
Minister of Defense of Malaysia, for
being their supplier of mortar fuzes,
beating the bids of the big boys of the
global ordnance industry.
Creser’s RRG also earned top
honors as Tuklas of 2003 in the
National Inventors’ Week sponsored
by DOST (Department of Science
and Technology). The award was
personally handed by The President
as Commander- in- Chief while senior
military brass applaud.
Enters the Bureaucracy.
Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)
1990-1995 won over global giants in Malaysia exported almost 200,000 81mm MORTAR FUZES.
Administrator Emerson Lorenzo shall
allow on board Phil-flagged vessels
armed personnel plying pirateinfested areas. When the Maritime
Council formally approves the Marina
endorsement, it could signal the launch
of Creser’s RRG into the world
market.
At the moment, Creser is seeking permit
and procedures from the Department of
Defense (DND), AFP and the national
police (PNP). Creser is holding initial
audience with an Assistant Secretary
of DND and awaiting words from both
AFP and PNP.
Creser hopes to hit the iron while
it sizzles. Hopefully, it will not
experience the reasons why the
Philippines is 136th spot of the 183
countries ranked in a survey on “Ease
of Doing Business.”
The study was conducted by the
International Financial Corp (IFC),
an agency of the World Bank which
notices the Philippines ”… has not
changed significantly...” from last year.
50 to 1000 Kg Bomb • Nose fuze • Tail fuze
25
SHIPPING
More Navies in Indian Ocean,
calls Intl Shipping Chamber
B
Best Management Practices and the
use of private armed guards may both
reduce the risks of capture. But Mr.
Polemis says the escalating use of
armed guards represents a failure by
the international community to find an
effective solution to the situation.
and aid on a gaping wound, ceding
control of the Indian Ocean to
pirates.
These were blistering words from
Chairman Spyros M. Polemis of the
International Chamber of Shipping
(ICS), damning the puny deployment
of naval forces to the region infested by
pirates.
“I do wish to stress that, despite
acknowledging their use, private armed
guards do not represent a long term
solution. Rather, their use actually
signifies a failure on the part of the
international community - and those
governments with significant military
forces - to ensure the security of
maritime trade on which the whole
world depends.”
Mr. Polemis chides that western
governments would be acting
differently if the many seafarers held
hostage off the coast of Somalia were
“Americans or Europeans”.
He was speaking October 3rd on
“Countering Piracy” at Maritime
Cyprus conference in Limassol before
shipping professionals. ICS with the
International Shipping Federation (ISF)
have m ember-chambers in 36 countries
and represent 80% of the world’s
merchant fleet.
“The fundamental problem is the
lack of navy ships that are committed
to protecting shipping - a band aid
on a gaping wound, although the
navies do an excellent job under the
circumstances and we commend them
for this.”
In a straight-talking indictment, Mr.
Polemis tells delegates that “by their
own admission, the military advise that
no ship is completely safe”.
Polemis
He says, “Sadly, one can only conclude
from the current response of many
governments that those thousands
of seafarers…captured have simply
had the wrong nationality. If they
were all Americans or Europeans, the
governments’ attitude might have been
somewhat different.”
He fumes, “It is really unacceptable
that so many governments seem to feel
that the current situation can somehow
be tolerated, and that a box has been
ticked by making a relatively small
number of navy ships available to
police Somalia’s waters and the entire
Indian Ocean.”
“The use of private guards does not
mean that military forces are no longer
needed. Far from it - they are needed
more than ever and should be greatly
increased in number,” advocates the
ICS chairman.
ICS is in close contact with both
EUNAVFOR (European naval forces)
and NATO discussing practical
solutions, including a possible blockade
of the Somali coast and tackling pirate
‘motherships’.
This global shipping chamber is also in
discussion with Flag States to ensure
they take a coherent pan-industry
approach for a proper framework for
the use of armed guards.
Intermanager endorses call for armed guards
InterManager (an active member of the
Save our Seafarers (SOS) campaign) is,
after months of campaigning, delighted to
hear the public vilification of piracy issued
by the UK Government. The SOS campaign
has strived to bring recognition of the
horrific and detrimental effect of Somali
piracy to both Governmental and the public.
Alastair Evitt, President of InterManager,
says it was a quantum leap in public
perception to hear the issue of piracy and
merchant shipping addressed by the UK
Prime Minister David Cameron so openly
and frankly.
InterManager has campaigned for the
freedom of Owners and Managers to choose
to deploy armed guards onboard ships they
manage. The UK Government’s recognition
of the value of armed guards and the right
of the owner and manager to deploy them,
in the right circumstances and in accordance
with BMP4, is a great lead by the UK
government and it is InterManager’s firm
belief that this stance should be adopted
by all flags and charterers that still do not
openly support it.
Mr Cameron told the BBC recently:
InterManager re-iterates its position that it
caption
26
“Somali piracy is a complete stain on our
world.”
is not calling for every vessel to have armed
guards onboard, rather that when a detailed
risk assessment deems this the preferred
option, then individual flag state legislation
or charter party clauses should not obstruct
Owners and/or Managers in taking this
decision.
InterManager further supports ongoing
initiatives to licence the companies
providing armed guards (based on
qualification, competence and experience),
to define the rules of engagement in the
event of a pirate attack and to control the
type and flow of weapons deployed both
onboard and while in transit to and from
vessels.
New aid to seafarers victimized by pirates
A new programme set to help seafarers
and their families cope with the
physical and mental trauma caused by
torture and abuse by pirates is being
launched in London, United Kingdom.
The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian
Response Programme (MPHRP)
is chaired by Peter Swift, formerly
managing director of shipping industry
body INTERTANKO.
The project is funded by the
ITF Seafarer’s Trust and the TK
Foundation.
The programme speaks for an alliance
of shipowners, trade unions, managers,
manning agents, insurers and welfare
associations representing the entire
shipping industry, from crews to
owners.
It aims to help seafarers who have
been or may be subject to pirate attack.
Pirates now regularly treat hostage
seafarers with extreme violence to
pressure families and employers to
expedite ransom demands.
This can include phoning family
members and forcing seafarers to
plead for their life while they are being
abused and threatened with death, and
filming and posting this online for
relatives to see.
The MPHRP chair explains, “Piracy
is reaching an all-time high: in the
number of incidents, in the vast
ransoms demanded and, most of all,
in the extreme violence used. The
treatment meted out to the victims
now frequently crosses the line from
Jamaica adds voice against piracy
savagery into torture.”
Roy Paul, of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust,
and MPHRP programme manager,
adds, “Until now, there has been little
coordinated help for those who are
suffering. Now that will change. With
the help of those in the industry who
want to do their best for those involved,
we intend to build up a network of first
responders and get psychosocial help
for affected crews.”
Mr. Paul concludes, “We have already
been listening to seafarers and
recording their experiences. Those will
lay the foundation for new guides for
seafarers, families and employers, for
training in their use, and for building
the networks of human and medical
help that are now desperately needed.”
Intermanager
grows huge
with Bibby
Shipmanagement
Mutual goodwill clasps two ship management
majors that translates into a pragmatic merger
of some 4,370 ships and almost 250,000 crew
members.
Maj Director General Rear Admiral Peter
Brady says: “We join the rest of the world
in solidarity towards ridding international
shipping of piracy.”
nation working with the Caribbean
Maritime Institute to provide quality
training of Masters, Chief Engineers and
other marine officers.
This was a major policy pronouncement at
a high profile luncheon last 29 September at
Kingston, Jamaica’s capital.
Earlier this year, two Jamaican seafarers
were assaulted by criminals who boarded
their vessel off the coast of Benin. Mr Smith
says, “The growth of the CMI has resulted
in many young Jamaican women and men
gainfully employed in internationally
trading ships, some of which transit … high
risk areas.”
Alastair Evitt, InterManager President,
says, “We are delighted to welcome Bibby
Shipmanagement to InterManager’s growing
membership. Our members are actively
involved in achieving global standards across
the industry. Working together and sharing
best practice is a hallmark of InterManager
membership and we look forward to involving
Bibby in our discussions and activities.”
In fact one CMI graduate, who recently
transited the Indian Ocean, confesses,
“Piracy is one of my biggest fears. I hear
too many stories about hijacking and
kidnapping for months and that hurts my
head when I think about it.”
Martin Kent, Managing Director of Bibby Ship
Management’s Liverpool and Singapore offices,
comments: “Over the past fourteen years Bibby
Ship Management has expanded its operations
globally within the various disciplines that
encompass ship management so it was natural
for us to consider joining InterManager. We are
pleased to have been given this opportunity and
look forward to being an active member within
the association.”
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica and
other key players in the country’s shipping
industry have spoken out in support of
the need for more effective international
measures to tackle piracy and added its
voice to calls for greater resources to rid the
high seas of this increasing threat.
Jamaica has not escaped the effects of
piracy. As a Flag State (through the Jamaica
Ship Registry) it regularly has vessels
transiting the Gulf of Aden carrying bulk
and other cargoes.
Last year the Jamaican-flagged bulk carrier
Miltiades was attacked 130 miles off the
coast of Yemen by several pirates carrying
AK-47 weapons who had approached the
vessel from a skiff.
Maj Legal Director Bertrand Smith reports,
“The quick action of the Master and crew
was able to repel the attack with no injuries
or deaths.”
Jamaica is also an important crew supply
RAdm Brady observes, “We have
just cause to join the IMO and the
international shipping community
in the call… to protect international
trade by sea. Jamaica supports the…
guidance developed by the IMO… with
its partners… to prepare ships’ crews
to counter the attacks by pirates. At
the same time we laud… the IMO to
develop public awareness to the scourge
of piracy, while encouraging countries
most equipped to assist by lending their
resources to counter piracy.”
This is gathered from the excited announcement
of InterManager formally welcoming Bibby
Ship Management Ltd to its membership.
InterManager is an international trade
association for the ship management industry.
Bibby Ship Management, based in Liverpool,
United Kingdom, provides comprehensive
technical management service to the international
marine industry. It has been established 200
years ago and appreciates investment in
long-term results and commitment to core
values which chime well with Intermanager’s
objectives.
27
GOVERNMENT
The adoption of Seafarers Bill of Rights in February 2006. (“International Labor Organization/[Crozet M]”).
DOLE assures PH will ratify
Seafarers Bill of Rights
By Ligaya Caban
L
abor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz
assures the Philippines will ratify
the Maritime Labour Convention
2006 (MLC) late within the year.
This follows Luxembourg, the latest
state to sign up to the MLC 2006 – the
seafarers’ “bill of rights”. It sets out
minimum standards and fair working
conditions for seafarers worldwide.
Luxembourg ratified the convention on
19 September 2011, the 19th member
state of the International Labour
Organization (ILO) to do so (and the
fifth European Union state).
To come into international law, the
MLC has to be signed by at least 30
28
member states and represent at least
50% of the world’s gross tonnage of
shipping.
The latter condition has already been
exceeded, with over 54% of world
shipping tonnage signed up. The ILO
expects the remaining 11 ratifications to
be gained by the end of the year, enabling
the MLC to come into force in 2012.
Luxembourg has also ratified the 2003
Seafarers Identity Document Convention
(known as Convention 185), the 22nd
state to back this important agreement
which provides for internationallyrecognized identity papers for seafarers,
enabling access to shore facilities and
shore leave.
In the Philippines, treaties (as the MLC
2006) are originally debated in the
Senate or Upper House. When passed
also by the Lower House and cleared
by the Bicameral Committee of both
Houses, the bill is forwarded to the
President for signature to have the force
of law.
Marino World shall monitor
developments in both legislative
chambers now pre-occupied with
other priorities as the budget,
presidential-certified bills and recent
natural disasters. Session days appear
at premium coming close to the
traditionally long Christmas season of
this Roman Catholic country, the only
one in the Asian region.
MARINA survey exposes
weak side of local sea
passenger vessels
Maritime Industry Authority
(Marina) warns local water
passenger liners need to shape
up or else domestic air carriers
will pull away their traditional
customer base.
This is the direct implication of
the low score earned by passenger
liners on Marina’s Passenger
Service Rating System (PSRS)
survey reporting a rating of only
66.71%, combined.
PSRS is a tool to monitor, assess,
and rate the standard of service
being offered by passenger liners
and ferry vessels. It guides the
riding public and Marina on the
quality of service these domestic
shipping companies provide.
Last March 28 to April 5 and
May 17-18 two groups of Marina
surveyors surveyed the passengers
of 32 vessels.
The PSRS survey was conducted
in primary routes covering the
Manila to Iloilo, Manila to Cebu
and Cagayan de Oro to Manila
routes which are operated and
owned by Negros Navigation,
Philippine Span Asia Carrier
(formerly Sulpicio Lines) and
Aboitiz Transport.
The weighted points for passenger
accommodation was 50%; yet, the
survey result showed only 34.07%
approval rating. Service adequacy
was given weighted points of 20%,
yet vessels got only 12.69% low..
Boarding system was 2.85%,
almost only half of the 5%
weighted points. Ships received
6.93% and 6.31 % for baggage
stowage security and reservation,
respectively, as against the 10%
weighted points for both.
Management and staff got 3.86%
compared with weighted points of
5% An over-arching tolerance is
observed on delays on estimated
time of departures (ETD)
averaging delay range of 15 to 30
minutes.
Passengers and Marina surveyors
said the low rating were due
to cleanliness not maintained;
damaged seats and benches; rusty
floorings and walls among others;
and no safety film played during
voyage.
Marina Deputy Administrator
Arhleen Romero informed the
Marina Regional Offices about the survey results in order to take
the necessary measures and policy
to address them.
Marina also informed the shipping
lines of the result of the survey
and were asked to review the
PSRS manual as well as tools
used in assessing the passenger
service standard.
The survey covered passenger
vessels 100 GT and above
operating in the domestic trade .
About 60% of the results came
from passenger onboard while
40% came from awarded points of
Marina surveyors.
Marina has undertaken four types
of inspection activities--inspection
prior to sailing, during sailing,
passenger surveys during sailing
and post sailing inspection and
interview.
The graded points of vessels
were based on seating, sleeping
accommodation, toilet,
bathroom, eating and drinking
accommodation, deck, and open
areas, recreation facilities, medical
services and other miscellaneous
services.
Three of the vessels surveyed, the
St. Peter the Apostle, Princes of the
South and Superrferry 12 operated
by Nenaco, Phil Span Asia and
Aboitiz respectively – are vessels
with more than 6,000 GT, ageing
more than 25 years and have
passenger capacity of more than
1,300.
Only St. Peter the Apostle was able
to reach 88.3% load factor while
the two vessels got below 50%
volume of passengers onboard.
“This low rate of passengers
onboard the vessel is due to promo
fares of various domestic airlines
in the country,” Marina notes
quoting crew and management of
the said shipping lines.
Jamaica’s view
VIMSAS Audit
“Rite of Passage”
A
ssessment under the IMO’s Voluntary
International Maritime Organization
Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS) is a
necessary rite of passage.
It is not to be
feared, says
Jamaica which is
the third country
in the Caribbean
to undertake the
voluntary audit. “We in Jamaica
found the
experience was
rewarding and
we firmly believe
that the audit is not
to be feared,” declares Rear Admiral Peter
Brady, Director General of the Maritime
Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).
“We view the audit as a necessary rite of
passage in doing all that is required and
possible for remaining a responsible maritime
State. Jamaica is pleased to have gone through
the process and, based on our experience, we
encourage other States to submit to the audit,”
continues Admiral Brady.
Staff at the Maritime Authority, along with the
other Jamaican Government agencies which
implement various aspects of the international
maritime instruments, embraced the audit
process as an additional tool to assist in the
quest for continual improvement.
MAJ remains committed to quality and the
IMO vision of safe, secure and clean seas. Rear Admiral Brady advises, “The aim of the
audit is to assist us in recognising the things
we are doing right and fixing the things which
can be improved. It is best that we do it now
while the scheme is voluntary as, in a number
of years, it will become mandatory in a
different form. Those of us who opt to take up
the challenge now will be ahead of the game.” Auditors from the United States, Panama
and Spain carried out the VIMSAS audit at
the MAJ’s Kingston headquarters, making
mandatory visits to other responsible agencies
over a period of 10 days last month.
The MAJ, which earlier this year hosted a
five-day VIMSAS workshop in Kingston
under the IMO/Singapore Third Country
Training Programme, will now use its
experience to assist other Flag States, in the
region and globally, to undertake the VIMSAS
audit.
29
UNIONS
JSU-AMOSUP Mariners’ Homes
Seafarers comfort zones
The JSU-AMOSUP
Mariners’ Home Annex.
By Lyn Bacani
The Mariners’ Homes recently
expanded with an annex building, proof
of growth and continuing vision for
the welfare of member-seamen. These
also reflect the ethical bond and strong
partnership of the two sponsors: the
All-Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU) and
the Associated Marine Officers’ and
Seamen’s Union of the Philippines
(AMOSUP).
Built at the geo-center of Manila, JSUAMOSUP Mariners’ Homes (main and
annex) are safe lodging for seafarers
before and after working onboard; a
place of convenience and relaxation in
the company of fellow seafarers.
Expansion to serve.
The main building was constructed in
January 2006 at 1765 Vasquez Street,
by J. Nakpil street, Malate district.
This is a great location, almost at
the geo-center of Manila and most
convenient to transient mariners, both
boarding or on offshore leave.
Amenities include air-conditioned
suites, indoor entertainment facilities,
game room, gym, and cafeteria. But
Mariners’ Homes main attraction is
the ambiance; it is a safe haven, one
relaxes with your peers in goodwill and
commonality of interests and priorities.
The new annex was inaugurated last
April, 2011 located at 1970 Pilar
Hidalgo Lim street. This is also in
Malate, just a few blocks from the
first and main building. With similar
amenities as the main, the annex adds a
library and a medical clinic.
Economical and secured.
Besides being in a comfort zone with
Get a free ride on the Mariners’ Home shuttle.
30
fellow seafarers, the Mariners’ Homes
are safeguarded by alert staff and
security personnel.
Transients may get a free ride on the
Mariner’s Home shuttle service to
the airport, confident on safety and
convenient on transit.
Regardless of nationality, all seafarers
may avail themselves of the Mariners’
Homes services. But during peak
seasons and special/seasonal events,
priority is given to card-bearing
members of JSU, AMOSUP and JSUPhilippines Seafarers Union (PSU).
Seafarers may reserve accommodation
personally or through their manning
agents accepted on a first-come firstserved basis.
Room rates are economical and pegged
on amenities, ranging from PhP150 to
PhP1,200 per day per person, excluding
mandatory taxes and other services.
Focused on welfare.
The project is not just on a whim but a
commitment of JSU which even holds
a Welfare Office at 6/F of the Mariners’
Home Annex. This is a solid statement
on their focus and will to serve.
JSU’s missions are to improving the
welfare of Filipino seafarers onboard
Japanese-owned and/or registered
vessels, to continuing education and
training programs in Japan for Filipino
seafarers and to monitor/investigate the
recruitment of Filipino seafarers for
Japanese-owned ships.
JSU is a trade union of maritime
workers in foreign and domestic trades,
fisheries and waterfront. JSU also
organizes and covers non-domiciled
seafarers including Filipinos employed
in Japanese-owned fleet. (Filipino
seafarers account for more than 70%
of foreign seafarers in Japanese-owned
and controlled vessels.)
The JSU CBA Provident Fund was
the second fund established under the
total crew cost concept. This enables
AMOSUP to negotiate for several other
provident funds under various CBA
types. In turn, this led to the dramatic
increase of CBA coverage for Filipino
seafarers on Japanese-controlled
vessels.
JSU and AMOSUP are both active on
issues and concerns on the welfare and
protection of seafarers.
31
MANNING
OSG SHIP MANAGEMENT MANILA INC.
Moving Energy with Integrity
OSG Ship Management Manila Inc.,
started its operation on March 2005
which employed 29 shore staff in
charge of manning 21 vessels with 793
seafarers in its first office located in
Ermita, Manila. Year after year, OSG
Manila continues to progressively
develop as a manning agency with all
pride and integrity.
From a leased office space, the
ownership of a five-storey OSG House
in Makati City, which was formally
inaugurated in April 2008, proves
to be one of the biggest leaps in the
unwavering success of OSG Manila.
and sea staff which favors their family
members as well.
are executed and results are properly
monitored.
Insurance Coverage
Performance evaluations are also the
basis of the company for identifying
employee’s potentials, both on shore
and at sea. Existing employees are
prioritized if there are open positions
for higher rank.
Shore and sea based employees are
covered by an annual health insurance
by a reputable HMO provider. For
shore based employees, the company
insures 2 qualified family members
while 3 qualified family members are
covered for sea based employees.
On top of the HMO benefit, all
employees are also covered by Medical
and Life insurance.
The OSG House provides comfort
to complement the demanding
nature of the business through its
spacious working area and modern
IS infrastructure, serene chapel,
relaxing waiting lounges and cafeteria,
entertaining playroom and revitalizing
gym.
Within the same year, an in-house
training center, equipped with a
fully-integrated Bridge and Engine
Simulators and computer-based training
rooms, were operational. Subsequently,
on September 2010, the Liquid
Cargo Handling Simulator for oil and
chemical tankers was launched.
To date, OSG Manila operates with 58
shore staff handling 56 vessels with
almost 2000 seafarers. With its worldclass office and training facilities, OSG
Manila aims to continuously provide
a work environment that encourages
outstanding performances in creating
an excellent platform on which shore
and sea based employees have the
opportunity to develop the necessary
competencies and experiences in
achieving their career goals.
Valuing its Best Asset
People are OSG Manila’s best asset
who should be valued and recognized
for every contribution they make,
whether big or small.
Apart from the world-class office and
training facility, OSG Manila provides
benefits and programs for the shore
32
Health and Wellness
Throughout the years, OSG Manila
stayed committed in improving the
lifestyle of the people by way of Health
and Wellness programs.
OSG Manila encourages its staff to
participate in sports activities like
badminton, basketball, marathon and
fun runs. This year, OSG’s badminton
team once again proved to be one of
the best teams in the maritime industry
as it bagged several medals in different
categories during the FAME and
PMMA tournaments.
Inspired by the achievements of the
participants, the management plans
to put up its own badminton court in
the parking area which will serve as
the training ground for the players and
encourage more staff to join and be
ready for future tournaments.
Career Development
Qualification for upgrading courses
and continuous training programs are
identified through periodic performance
evaluations. Once identified, the
company ensures that the training plans
Crew and Family Welfare
Crew Conference and Family Day are
held annually to ensure that seafarers
and their families are continually
updated and involved.
Last May 12-13, OSG Manila held
a two-day Conference attended by
one hundred fifty one officers. The
topics discussed were Safety and
Environmental, Marine Operations
Assurance and Response, Operational
Challenges, Emergency Preparedness
& Response, Commercial Awareness,
Technical Challenges on the Growing
OSG’s reputation, People and Behavior,
Leadership/Integrity, Senior Officer
Rotation Responsibility, Mindset, Civil
Treatment, Training/Mentoring/Cadet
program and Health.
All of which have been interesting and
interactive with several workshops
and open-forum. A dinner and dance
party recapped the two day conference,
which was enjoyed by sea and shore
staff alike.
Following the conference was a
day shared with seafarer’s family in
Enchanted Kingdom, a theme and
amusement park located in Sta. Rosa,
Laguna. For this year, seafarer’s and
their families from Laguna, Cavite and
Manila area were joined by visiting
principals and OSG Manila shore staff.
Previous family days were held in
Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Bulacan. OSG
Manila plans to hold the next one in the
Northern part of the Philippines.
CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
As part of the company’s campaign
towards a cleaner and greener
environment, OSG Manila worked
its way to achieve an ISO 14001
certification last May 9, 2011. With this,
OSG Manila established a procedure in
identifying, estimating and determining
controls to minimize impact of the
office activities on the environment.
the company’s Environmental
Management System and
environmental improvement processes
and targets.
Each and every staff were familiarized,
engaged and committed to comply
with the company’s Environmental
Management System and environmental
improvement processes and targets.
Several in-house programs and outdoor
activities were spearheaded in order
to fulfill the company’s environmental
targets. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle,
waste segregation, electric and water
conservation are the systems being
followed company-wide. Apart from
the aforementioned, there were about
260 trees planted in Palawan and
Batangas in order to offset the carbon
emission caused by the air miles
travelled by office staff and a total
of 1,530 kilograms of waste were
collected in the 300 meter shoreline
of Tanza, Cavite during the last
International Coastal Clean-Up Day in
close cooperation with Consolidated
Training Systems Inc., one of OSG’s
training partners.
Several in-house programs and outdoor
activities were spearheaded in order
to fulfill the company’s environmental
targets. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle,
waste segregation, electric and water
conservation are the systems being
followed company-wide. Apart from
the aforementioned, there were about
260 trees planted in Palawan and
Batangas in order to offset the carbon
emission caused by the air miles
travelled by office staff and a total
of 1,530 kilograms of waste were
collected in the 300 meter shoreline
of Tanza, Cavite during the last
International Coastal Clean-Up Day in
close cooperation with Consolidated
Training Systems Inc., one of OSG’s
training partners.
The recent dengue outbreak in the
Philippines became another opportunity
for OSG Manila to reach out and help.
In cooperation with the Philippine
Red Cross, OSG organized and held a
bloodletting program last September 9
in OSG House. Sea and shore staff alike
voluntarily underwent the screening. At
the end of this activity, thirty bags of
blood were collected.
These activities are not only
participated in by the shore and sea
based employees but their family
members as well.
OSG Ship Management Manila Inc.
offers its people an encouraging and
supportive work group which fosters
them to participate in training and
development activities supplemented
with benefits and programs to help
balance the demands of work and life
outside work. OSG is indeed a great
place to work for!
The recent dengue outbreak in the
Philippines became another opportunity
for OSG Manila to reach out and help.
In cooperation with the Philippine
Red Cross, OSG organized and held a
bloodletting program last September 9
in OSG House. Sea and shore staff alike
voluntarily underwent the screening. At
the end of this activity, thirty bags of
blood were collected.
These activities are not only
participated in by the shore and sea
based employees but their family
members as well.
OSG Ship Management Manila Inc.
offers its people an encouraging and
supportive work group which fosters
them to participate in training and
development activities supplemented
with benefits and programs to help
balance the demands of work and life
outside work. OSG is indeed a great
place to work for!
ADVOCACY ON CORPORATE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As part of the company’s campaign
towards a cleaner and greener
environment, OSG Manila worked
its way to achieve an ISO 14001
certification last May 9, 2011. With
this, OSG Manila established a
procedure in identifying, estimating
and determining controls to minimize
impact of the office activities on
the environment. Each and every
staff were familiarized, engaged
and committed to comply with
33
PROFILE
A habit to excel
ON SEA and ON LAND
By Lyn Bacani
S
a non-lawyer member of the Maritime
Lawyers Association of the Philippines.
tricken by a poem The Call of the
Sea,“What magic lies beneath
the sea which takes a man from
his family? What beauty lies amidst
the foam which lures a man away from
home?”, Capt. Reynold “Burt” Sabay
set sail in 1978 as a Deck Cadet.
Capt. Sabay has been the CEO of
the New Simulator Center of the
Philippines, since its founding in
December 8, 2000. It is a 100%
Filipino corporation specialising in
quality simulator-based training and
assessment of seafarers.
His mission was to discover such
magic and beauty! Indeed, he
discovered the magic and beauty – the
big $!
Burt had stints with various firms like
as President, RMS Marine Consultants;
President, Top Ten Marine Consultancy
and Services; Crewing Manager,
Training Manager and then Quality
Assurance Manager, TSM Shipping
(Phils.); and Instructor/Tactical
Officer, PMMA.
Burt retired from seafaring in 1990
and had been a landlubber since.
But he keeps thinking of serving the
Working Group, Multi-Sectoral Task
Force on Maritime Development;
STCW Expert for MARINA-NMD;
and a Member of Quality Assessment
Team (QAT), Commission on Higher
Education.
From 1978 to 1990, he served as
Auxiliary Master, Chemical Tanker;
Chief Mate, on board Bulk Carrier
and also aboard oil Tankers, car bulk
carriers, LPG carriers (from semi
pressurised to fully refrigerated), and
others types of vessels.
He finished elementary education in
Basa Air Base Post Elementary School,
Floridablanca, Pampanga, high school
in Don Bosco Academy- Pampanga.
He took some units at the University
of Santo Tomas before entering the
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
to graduate in 1980.
While at the PMMA, he was the
Deputy Corps Commander and
graduated with High Distinction
(Chairman of the Board Award) on
top of other awards such as Plaque of
Distinction on Academic Excellence in
Naval Science, Valedictorian Saber on
Probationary Ensign Training Course,
Leadership Medal and Outstanding
Apprenticeship Award.
October 1, 1995 was a mostchallenging day when the family home
in San Fernando, Pampanga was lost to
lahar . But the whole family survived
staying 24 hours on the rooftop of
a neighbor’s house, The entire
community was then inundated by
floodwaters and buried eleven feet deep
in lahar from Mount Pinatubo.
RCMB President Capt. Reynold “Burt” Sabay.
34
Filipino seafarers by way of education
and training. Somehow, imparting
knowledge and skills to fellow Filipino
Seafarers seemed more rewarding to
him.
Taking advantage of the genuine
opportunity to serve others, he joined
the Rotary Club of Makati Buendia in
December 7, 2007 upon the invitation
of PP Uly Sevilla.
His professional experiences include
being a Member of the Special Board
of Marine Inquiry, tasked with the
investigations of maritime disasters and
accidents in the Philippines. He is also
For his contributions in the
development of the maritime industry,
he became a member of the TESDA
Advisory Panel for the Maritime
Sector; a Member of the Technical
But trained in sea survival, he built a
raft out of banana trunks, then used to
save to safety many families from lahar
that soaked the community.
Burt was born on February 9, 1958,
second to a family of nine siblings. His
father was a Master Sergeant while his
mother stayed at home for the children.
He is married to the lovely Lina
Marie and blessed with two beautiful
daughters, Keina Rae and Riela Jae.
Receiving the award: C/E Fred Haboc, MSBM – Dean, PTC-MAPUA CMET with Ms. Karen Avelino, Philcamsat General Manager.
PTC CAPTAIN EARNS LLOYD-ASIA
SEAFARER OF THE YEAR
Capt. Gilbert Cabrera, Ship Master of
the M/V Morning Cedar, was honored
Seafarer of the Year in the Lloyd’s List
Awards, Asia 2011 held last October
26th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong
Kong.
Capt. Cabrera is part of the Philippine
Transmarine Carriers (PTC) a
Philippine-based family of quality
seafarers manning various types of
vessels on routes all over the world.
Lloyd’s List is a renowned global
institution. As an international news
magazine, it is committed to “provide
information, analysis and knowledge
for the business decision makers in the
global shipping community.”
Lloyd’s List gives out awards
annually to outstanding companies and
individuals who have made significant
contributions to the global shipping
industry.
Lloyd’s List Asia is the regional unit
of Lloyd’s List Global and further
explains that “… As Asia is becoming
the hub of the international maritime
industry, Lloyd’s List has expanded
its journalism and insight team into
the region, providing subscribers
with the essential tools to make
informed decisions in this increasingly
competitive and complex shipping
market. Lloyd’s List Asia provides upto-date independent Asian news, data
and powerful insight on marine trade
and finance to help shipping companies
effectively plan their business.”
Capt. Gilbert Cabrera, commanding an
EUKOR cargo ship, earned the award
based on exceptional courage during a
magnitude 9 earthquake which struck
off the coast of Sendai, Japan. His ship
narrowly escaped four-to five-meter high
tsunami waves as it was docked in the port
of Onahama, Japan discharging lumber.
When Capt. Cabrera felt unusually
strong vibrations on board, he
immediately ordered all hands on deck
to man fore and aft stations. Then he
made an unassisted emergency deberthing from the quay to avoid harm to
the crew and damage to the vessel.
To ensure the safety of the crew
(mostly Filipinos with some Burmese
and Singaporeans), Third Officer and
Second Engineer were ordered to
manage and hold the rest of the crew
inside the Muster Station-Square Room.
Several mooring lines started to break,
causing the ship to jerk violently.
Capt. Cabrera asked the Bosun to man
the fore station; the Chief Officer, the
charge of the aft station; the Chief
Engineer and Third Engineer to secure
the Engine Room.
The last of the mooring lines soon
snapped.
The vessel started to move towards the
breakwater entrance where larger waves
started to break through. And despite
being at full sea speed, the vessel was
still moving astern pushed by tidal
waves.
The Second and Third Officers on
the Bridge assisted the Captain in
the maneuvers, at the same instance
watching distance from the breakwater.
After some heroics, the vessel gained
stability and squeezed safely from the
breakwater.
The EUKOR report lauded Capt.
Cabrera and his crew for excellent
seamanship faced with a lifethreatening crisis from force majeure.
PTC, through Swedish Crewing
Management (SCM), is proud to be
the official manning agent of Wallenius
Marine Singapore, ship manager of the
M/V Morning Cedar.
PTC has long been in the forefront of
quality seafaring in the Philippines.
Now Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas
founded it in 1979 with just seven
people.
After 32 years, PTC currently boasts
of 600 employees with an annual
deployment of 32,000 seafarers to 90
principals/ship owners worldwide.
35
Medical Repatriation
W
such compliance, then inform OWWA.
hen is repatriation considered
a medical repatriation? Who
shoulders the cost?
Should exit visa be needed, the employer or
principal shall have 15 days from notice to
secure. Any agency involved in the worker’s
recruitment, processing, and/or deployment
shall also coordinate with the principal or
employer in securing the visa.
A 2005 descriptive study was done led
by Dr Nicomedes Cruz, involving 5,315
Filipino seafarers who were repatriated
for medical reasons and treated in Manila
between January 1, 1988 up to December
31, 2002.
During this five-year period, illnesses
accounted for 64%while 36% were all
connected with injuries.
MARITIME
LAW
Dr. Cruz says the ten leading causes of
medical repatriations are: cerebrovascular
diseases, diabetes mellitus, hemmorhoids, gallstone,
cardiovascular diseases, inguinal hernia, gastritis,
hypertension, urinary tract infection and appendicitis
Ten leading injuries are: disc herniation, fractures,
cardiovascular diseases, traumatic amputation,
cerebrovascular diseases, malignancy, diabetes mellitus,
burns, ligamental tear and hearing loss.
Repatriation rights.
Under international law, it is the right of every seafarer to
be repatriated.. The Maritime Labor Convention of 2006
mandates each Member state shall ensure that seafarers
on ships that fly its flag are entitled to repatriation when
found medically fit to travel. The MLC 2006 incorporated
provisions of the 1987 Repatriation of Seafarers
Convention (Revised).
In the national level, the obligation to repatriate is
embodied in the Migrant and Overseas Filipinos Act of
1995, R.A. 8042 ( as amended by R.A. 10022).
Rule XIII Section 1 states, “the repatriation of the worker
or remains, and the transport of personal effects shall
be the primary responsibility of the principal, employer
or agency that recruited/deployed. All costs attendant
shall be borne by the principal, employer or the agency
concerned.”
The law says, “every contract for overseas employment
shall provide for the primary responsibility of the
principal or employer and agency to advance the cost
of plane fare, and the obligation of the worker to refund
the cost thereof in case his/her fault is determined by the
Labor Arbiter.”
Further, Section 3, Rule XIII says when repatriation
arises and the foreign employer fails to provide for its
cost, the POLO or responsible personnel on-site shall
simultaneously notify OWWA and the POEA.
POEA notice.
The POEA shall issue a notice requiring the agency to
provide, within 48 hours from such notice, the plane
ticket or the prepaid ticket advice (PTA) to the POLO or
Philippine Embassy. The agency shall notify the POEA of
36
If the employment agency fails to provide
the ticket or PTA within 48 hours, Sect 4,
Rule XIII states POEA shall suspend the
documentary processing of the agency or
impose sanctions. Upon notice from the
POEA, OWWA shall advance the costs of
repatriation with recourse to the agency or
principal. The administrative sanction shall
not be lifted until the agency reimburses the OWWA of the
cost and interest.
In case a seafarer is found not medically fit within
15 days upon arrival in the vessel, the medical clinic
that conducted the health examination/s shall pay for
repatriation and deployment. The medical clinic may be
revoked of its DOH-accreditation if the medical reason
for repatriation could have been detected at the time of
examination using the DOH Pre-Employment Medical
Exam (PEME) package as required.
Compulsory insurance.
An important new feature the Migrant and Overseas
Filipinos Act of 1995, R.A. 8042 ( as amended by R.A.
10022) is the seafarers’ Compulsory Insurance Coverage
under Section 37-A secured at no cost to the worker,
coverage for the duration of the seafarer’s employment
contract and shall cover, among others, medical
repatriation.
When medically necessary as determined by the attending
physician, repatriation under medical supervision to the
migrant worker’s residence shall be undertaken by the
insurance provider at such time that the migrant worker
is medically cleared for travel by commercial carrier. If
the period to receive medical clearance to travel exceeds
14 days from the date of discharge from the hospital, an
alternative appropriate mode of transportation, such as air
ambulance, may be arranged. Medical and non-medical
escorts may be provided when necessary.
Thus, under R.A. 8042 as amended by R.A. 10022,
the responsibility for medical repatriation both by the
recruitment/manning agency and the insurance provider,
by the medical clinic in case a seafarer is found to be not
medically fit within 15 days uponimmediate arrival in the
assigned vessel.
The medical repatriation provision of R.A. 8042 as
amended by R.A. 10022 are likewise embodied in
the current POEA Standard Employment Contract for
Seafarers. The POEA contract enumerated the liabilities of
the employer when the seafarer suffers work-related injury
or illness during the term of his contract as follows:
1. The employer shall continue to pay the
seafarer his wages during the time he is on board
the vessel;
JOB
WE ARE IN NE
2. If the injury or illness requires medical and/or
dental treatment in a foreign port, the employer
shall be liable for the full cost of such medical,
serious dental, surgical and hospital treatment
as well as board and lodging until the seafarer is
declared fit to work or to repatriated.
However, if after repatriation, the seafarer still
requires medical attention arising from said
injury or illness, he shall be so provided at cost to
the employer until such time he is declared fit or
the degree of his disability has been established
by the company-designated physician.
Upon sign-off of the seafarer from the vessel
for medical treatment, the employer shall bear
the full cost of repatriation in the event the
seafarer is declared (1) fit for repatriation; or (2)
fit to work but the employer is unable to find
employment for the seafarer.
Employer liable if.
Note Section 20 (B) makes employer liable
only when the seafarer suffers from a workrelated injury or illness during the term of his
employment.
The seafarer should report his illness to an officer
once on board the vessel. Records should show
he had indeed referred his illness to a nurse or
doctor to avail of proper treatment. Only then
can it be said that he was repatriated to the
Philippines on account of any illness or injury,
but not in view of the completion of his contract.
The illness must have occurred during the term
of the contract. The POEA contract begins from
the point-of-hire, usually Manila and ends also
at the point-of-hire, usually Manila. If a seafarer
is repatriated due to illness at any time during
the term of employment, it is considered as
occurring during the term of the contract and
thus such illness may be compensable.
___________________________________
OFFICERS: M
SECOND OFF
OFFICERS, TH
LPG (Registered
PRODUCT TANK
OIL/CHEMICAL
BULK CARRIER
Emirates)
GENERAL CARG
RORO (Register
ANCHOR HAND
SHIPMANAGEMENT
PHILS., INC.
5th Flr., NEDA sa Makati Bldg.,
106 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village
Makati City, Philippines
Tel: (02)813-6216/813-1929/812-9247/8126836/893-7269
www.crewtech.net
BOARD PASS
POSSIBILITY
PROGRAM OF
QUALIFIED OF
APPLY.
FOR INTERES
CURRICULUM
RECORDS OR
YOU MAY ALS
OUR COMPAN
YOU MAY LOO
MARY ANN SA.
Vice - President
POEA LICENSE NO: POEA -013 – SB – 103007 – PL
NO FEES REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
JOB OPPORTUNITY
WE ARE IN NEED OF CREW FOR THE FOLLOWING VESSELS:
OFFICERS: MASTERS, CHIEF OFFICERS, CHIEF ENGINEERS,
SECOND OFFICERS, ELECTRICIANS, SECOND ENGINEERS, THIRD
OFFICERS, THIRD ENGINEERS & RATINGS
LPG (Registered in Italy)
PRODUCT TANKERS (Registered in Marshall Islands)
OIL/CHEMICAL TANKERS (Registered in Italy, Malta & Marshall Islands)
BULK CARRIER (Registered in Marshall Islands, Malta, Cyprus & United Arab
Emirates)
GENERAL CARGO (Registered in Italy, Panama & Malta)
RORO (Registered in Italy)
ANCHOR HANDLING (Registered in Italy)
 Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho. Bache-
lor of Science, major in Economics (Dean’s
SHIPMANAGEMENT
Medalist) in 1991 and Bachelor of Laws in
1998 from the University of the Philippines
PHILS.,
Diliman. Admitted toINC.
the bar in April 1999.
Heads
seafarers’
division
of the Sapalo
5th Flr.,the
NEDA
sa Makati
Bldg.,
Velez
Bundang
Bulilan
law
offices.
106 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village Lecturer
on
Paralegal
Seminars on Legal Rights of
Makati
City, Philippines
the
Seafarer
in
coordination with the churchTel: (02)813-6216/813-1929/812-9247/812based
Apostleship
6836/893-7269 of the Sea (AOS). Actively
participated
in the drafting of various legal
documents
pertaining
to seafarers such as
www.crewtech.net
the revised POEA employment contract and
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of
the amended Migrant Workers Act.
POEA LICENSE NO: POEA -013 – SB – 103007 – PL
NO FEES REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
BOARD PASSERS ARE WELCOME TO APPLY WITH THE
POSSIBILITY OF PROMOTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROGRAM OF THE COMPANY.
QUALIFIED OFFICERS WITH INTER-ISLAND EXPERIENCE MAY ALSO
APPLY.
FOR INTERESTED APPLICANTS, PLEASE SUBMIT IN PERSON YOUR
CURRICULUM VITAE, TRAINING CERTIFICATES & SERVICE
RECORDS OR CALL OUR OFFICES.
YOU MAY ALSO HAVE YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE SENT THROUGH
OUR COMPANY E-MAIL.
YOU MAY LOOK FOR:
MARY ANN SA. CABALTEJA
Vice - President
37
PORTS
ATI invests
$25 million for
South Harbor expansion
Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) allocates
$25 million for South Harbor’s
terminal expansion expected to be
completed within 18 months, targeted
next year.
ATI’s EVP Ernst T.A. Schulze says civil
works have started last month and they
expect to complete the extension of Pier
3 by 120 meters by about midyear of
2012.
“We’re working on an area that’s
on the Northern side of the terminal.
We try to have extra space for trucks
(to) accommodate more…and we will
have extra space for container terminal
stacking yard,” explains Schulze.
Schulze says South Harbor’s capacity
will increase to 1 million TEUs,
from the current capacity of 950,000,
once infrastructure developments are
completed.
ATI also plans to complete its container
yard in Sta. Mesa Manila which is about
2 hectares.
About 30 to 35% of the cargo
volume in South Harbor come from
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal
(Calabarzon) area.
ATI has also put in place two Liebherr
post-panamax cranes worth P1 billion
last May. These cranes are capable of
handling two 20-footer containers in a
single lift.
The cranes allow ATI to operate on a
faster, more efficient and safer manner
which ultimately redounds to greater
benefits for its clients down the value
chain.
PPA reduces
increase
and by two
tranches
By Gen Dy
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
grants the petition to increase charges by
two of the country’s leading port operators.
But PPA reduced to 17% vessel related
charges by the International Container
Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) seeking
19% and Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI)
requesting 21%.
ATI and ICTSI claim rising operational
costs demand tariff be increased as they
proposed separate percentages.
Expectedly, shipping lines led by the
Association of International Shipping Lines
(AISL) opposed both proposals for tariff rates
filed by ATI and ICTS .
PPA Port District Manager of Manila/ Southern
Luzon, Engr. Constante Fariñas, Jr. says
the granting of the rate increase will be
implemented in two tranches– the first
tranche of 11% is expected to take effect in
November and the second tranche ( or the
remaining 6%) by the next 6 months or full
implementation by May next year.
ATI Executive Vice President Ernst T.A.
Schulze says they have increased their
vessel related cost by 19%, the reason they
are asking for the same rate adjustment.
Citing increases in fuel, manpower, and
electricity, among others, which ATI can
no longer bear, Shultze explains, “We
applied for 19 %, so we want to recover
everything. With 17%, that means there’s
still a difference.”
He adds that since they cannot recover all
the cost they will just be more efficient
in operating the port. He claims the cost
recovery will not make any difference on
their revenues but will affect its bottomline.
Col.Edgardo Abesamis, EVP of ICTSI
says the tariff increase petition was needed
since they haven’t had cost recovery since
2008 and have been suffering for the past
three years.
ICTSI and ATI handle about 60% of the
cargoes passing through Manila and the
bulk of the country’s foreign trade.
Maximino T. Cruz, GM of AISL says they
have negotiated for a lower tariff increase
because shipping lines are still reeling from
high fuel, low freight rates and low volume
of cargo moved.
Shipping lines operating in and out of the
country complain of overcapacity and
reduced freight rates as well as volatile
shipping industry which is a world-wide
situation.
ICTSI allocate $110 million for MICT berth 6
Berth 6 is on its finishing touches towards
being a world-class cargo facility.
operate the berth on the first quarter of
2012.”
This is the assurance of EVP Edgardo
Abesamis, as he commits $110-million that
includes cargo-handling equipment for his
port operations as International Container
Terminal Services (ICTSI).
ICTSI is now awaiting delivery of two quay
cranes for Berth 6 worth $15 million by
mid January. Six rubber-tired gantries worth
$2.4 million are already in inventory, while
awaiting for other principal cargo-handling
equipment worth $1 million.
Berth 6 is at the Manila International
Container Terminal (MICT), now buzzing
with frenetic construction to wind-up the
remaining 30% upgrade.
Abesamis firmly assures that, “Even
though the contractor is a little bit delayed,
they are still working on its target to fully
38
Berth 6 is very critical because MICT is
handling more containers and it needs to be
more efficient in port operations.
ICTSI expands Berth 6 by 320 meters,
needing three quay cranes and reach
stackers. It is also scouting for an area
outside the port zone as truck holding area.
“We are working with ICTSI to equip
its expansion on Berth 6 with additional
radiation portal monitors,” advances US
Megaports of the US Department of Energy.
Megaports manager Kimberly Prono says,
“The radiation detection facility already
installed at Asian Terminals (ATI) at South
Harbor and MICT, were intended to deter,
detect, and prevent nuclear materials and
other radio-active materials from leaving
port.
These container scanners are crucial to
Philippine and world trade.
US$10-million investment
saves ICTSI 20% on fuel
A brand-new fleet of eight rubber-tired
gantries (RTG) will cut fuel costs by
about 20%, leveling up International
Container Terminal Services’ (ICTSI)
efficiency at the Manila International
Container Terminal (MICT).
This also makes ICTSI the largest fleet
of RTGs in the country from 37 units
to 45 with a direct investment of some
US10-million for the gantries alone.
ICTSI expects delivery of the gantries
(RTGs) by June next year in two
batches to support MICT’s new and
expanded Berth 6.
The RTGs acquired from Kalmar
Industries employ the latest technology
to provide optimum efficiency on
economy of operation to yield fuel
savings of 20%, at least, compared to
the current fleet.
They are configured to provide one over
five high stacking and six containers
plus roadway wide. Precise container
handling is enhanced through the latest
Siemens Sinamics technology in which
container sway is controlled through an
automatic electronic system. and its flagship facility, MICT.
Enviroment- friendly, operation speeds
are higher than existing cranes but with
lower noise and less exhaust emission. Kalmar is a global provider of container
and heavy duty materials handling
equipment, automation applications
and related services. It is the world’s
leading supplier of cargo handling
equipment to ports, terminals and
intermodal facilities.
Maintenance, too, is reduced thanks to
elimination of hydraulic systems and
extended intervals between engine lube,
coolant and overhaul periods. All these
translate to reduced labor and lower
consumable material costs.
Operator comfort is also increased
with cabins that are equipped with
high efficiency air conditioning,
comfortable suspension seats, a low
noise environment and state of the art
joystick controls. All of the usual features are adopted at
MICT operators such as fully automatic
steering, CCTV and container position
reporting are also provided to ensure
that ICTSI’s premier port remains at the
forefront of operational efficiency.
Kalmar has delivered equipment to
ICTSI at a number of its facilities
around the world including Baltic
ContainersTerminal in Gydnia, Poland
The order will raise the terminal’s
RTG fleet from the current 37 to 45,
the largest RTG fleet in the Philippines
and among the other ICTSI-operated
terminals worldwide. This investment, together with the
startup of Berth 6, will raise the
MICT’s current annual capacity of 1.9
million TEUs to 2.5 million TEUs. Meanwhile, another order has been
placed for two new ZPMC super postPanamax quay cranes also for the new
Berth 6. These cranes, capable of lifting
containers on 18-container wide vessels
will enter service in 2012 and share
many of the high technology features
incorporated into the RTG design.
39
GALLERY
Jimenez with President Ramos.
The VP with maritime stakeholders.
The radio broadcasters.
Vice President Binay with San Miguel Properties official and
1st PHL Seafarer Congress organizers.
Marino World ladies.
Singer DJ Joph marches at Kalaw parade.
40
FUSION OF MARI T I ME NE W S & VI E W S
LUSWELF Administrator Anfred Yulo at the Boodle Fight.
WHO READS MARINO WORLD.
Mr. Alex Verchez, President of Teekay
Shipping Philippines.
Shipowner
sweats it out.
Mother and
daughter
tandem.
41
SPORTS
With the runners, Ms. Marissa Oca of the Gig and the Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation (GASFI).
A
FAME HITS RECORD RUN
lmost 5,000 registered in
FAME’s 5th Annual Fun Run,
a record multitude in terms
of social strata and civic advocacy
--- mixing and panting on the theme,
“ Go Marino Go, Healthy Body,
Healthy Mind!”
The Filipino Association for
Mariners’ Employment, Inc.
(FAME) was the major organizer
of the very successful event last
OctoberFirst, starting at the IMAX
Open Parking Area, SM Mall of Asia
(MOA), Pasay City.
Geodito Pamittan (Maritime
Academy of Asia and the Pacific) and
Jinky Pateros ruled 5K runners.
Gerald Apsay (Cargo Safeway) and
Pamela Castro (Reinier Pacific Intl)
outdueled the rest in the challenging
10k category.
Rotary Intl District 3830 awarded
a specialty block to Rotarians in
FAME’s Fun Run, viz:
Level 3k, Reynold M. Sabay, RCMBuendia
The Rotary Clubs of RI District
3830 were major participants
with seafarers, executives and
employees of manning agencies and
their families, different maritime
associations and unions adding up as
the biggest total since the activity was
launched in Year 2006.
Also, generous donations poured
in, enabling FAME to donate
Php100,000 to the Red Cross for
victims of Typhoon Pedring and
Quiel in Northern Luzon areas.
Category Best Runs.
Charles Catilo (Multinational Marine)
and Gigi Bermejo (Phil Transmarine
Carriers) took top honors in the 3k
event.
42
Part of the Winners.
Level 5k, Rowel Ecleo, RCMBonifacio
Level 10k, Danjo Kalaw, RCMBonifacio
In the raffle draw, luck went to
Marvin Ramirez (Wallem Maritime)
who won a Nokia cellphone from
Smart Communications.
The bicycle donated by Sagrada
Corazon Medical and Allied Center
when to Glisand B. Lagrosa of
Magsaysay Maritime.
Title
Name Company Champion
Charles Catilo
Multinational Maritime, Inc.
2nd Place John Paulo Salamat BSM Crew Service Centre Phils., Inc.
3rd Place
Manuel Laverento
MMSPhil Maritime Services, Inc.
4th Place
Ginno Guillamon
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
5th Place
Alvin Luchavez
Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc.
3K/FEMALE CATEGORY
Title Name
Company Champion
Gigi Bemejo Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc.
2nd Place Diana Mae Ellad Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
3rd Place
Marilou Estrella
Stolt-Nielsen Philippines, Inc.
4th Place
Anna Victoria Tamula
Albar Shipping & Trading Corp.
5th Place
Jejerlou Barcena Phoenix Maritime Corp.
5K/MALE CATEGORY
Title
Name Company CEBU CITY
Champion Geodito Pamittan
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
2nd Place
Romhel John Gonzaga
NYK-Fil Ship Management, Inc.
3rd Place
Mark Ian Rendon
United Filipino Seafarers
4th Place
Angie Abiera
United Filipino Seafarers
5th Place
Ronald De Tablan
Southfield Agencies, Inc.
5K/FEMALE CATEGORY
Title
Name
Company Champion
Jinky PaterosPhoenix Maritime Corp.
2nd Place
Nido Ceres Seacrest Maritime Mgt., Inc. 3rd Place Joan Gift Mandose Phil. Merchant Marine Academy
4th Place Kristine Padernilla Phil. Merchant Marine Academy
5th Place Jasmine Borja Skanfil Maritime Services, Inc.
10K/MALE CATEGORY
Title
Name
Company Champion Gerald Apsay Cargo Safeway, Inc.
2nd Place
Joy Reginald Antolin Compass Training Center, Inc.
3rd Place Estelito Hijalga Phoenix Maritime Corp. 4th Place 5th Place Carlo Alcalen Wallem Maritime Services, Inc.
10K/FEMALE CATEGORY
Title
Name Company Champion Pamela Castro
Reinier Pacific Int’l. Shpg., Inc.
2nd Place
Chelsea Nadine PeridoPhil. Merchant Marine Academy
3rd Place Lady Eizen MasicapPhil. Merchant Marine Academy
4th Place
Karen Cacho Phil. Merchant Marine Academy
Rotary 3K/MALE CATEGORY
Title
Name Company Champion
Capt. Reynold M. Sabay
RC Makati Buendia
2nd Place
Ralph Arvin Nicomedes RC Makati Legazpi
3rd Place Ivan Bradley RC Makati Legazpi 5K/MALE CATEGORY
Title Name Company Champion Rowel Ecleo RC Makati Bonifacio
2nd Place
Stephen Lemmor Ilagan RC Makati Bonifacio
3rd Place
Carl Francis Sales RC Makati Bonifacio
CEBU CITY
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Tel: (02) 8882764 / 94 / 73 Fax: (02) 8872759
Satellite Office G/F Suite 107A, Ermita Center Bldg., 1350 Roxas Blvd., Manila City
Tel: (02) 5224190 or (02) 4508206
Cebu Branch 6th Floor, Escario Bldg., N. Escario St., Brgy. Capitol, Cebu City
Tel: (032) 5203747 or (032) 5203141
SOON TO OPEN
Website: www.newsimulator.com Email: [email protected]
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ThisProgramoffersspecializedcoursesforclientswithintheCargoShippingIndustries.
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TheoryModulesarebasedonsessionswith1Dayof8hours.
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43
TRAVEL
Oh! that Korean feel
By Gen Dy
Korea has a very rich tradition, wonderful
palace, delightful food and people with a
very strong character and principle.
It was my first time to visit Seoul, an
environment friendly city that brings nature
culture and history together. Its really cold
there in Korea.
As most Filipinos are Koreanovela addicts,
for sure you can easily jive and understand
the Korean people. Most importantly, I got
so excited to see places which I’ve only
seen on television.
If you’re interested in cruise, they have
the Han River Cruise to enjoy the beauty
of Seoul and enjoy the largest aquarium of
Asia, the COEX aquarium.
One famous place for tourists is the
Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is impressive with its rationalist form of geometry.
Lets jump into the past. In 1395, three years
after the founding of the Joseon Dynasty
by Yi Seong-gye, the new main palace,
Gyeongbokgung was completed. The Palace
was built as presence for the last dynasty.
The palace was destroyed by fire during
the Japanese invasions of 1592 and was
reconstructed in 1865 to 1868, the 5th
year of King Gojong. Only a few buildings
were left standing. An effort to restore Gyeongbokgung to its former glory has
been completed in 1995.
You will see 12 animal figures at the
ceilings, which were imported from China.
They believe, the clay figures can eat the
fire spirit. These animal figures serve as
protection from fire.
You can also see in this palace the King’s
throne which was left there as well as good
paintings.
I must not miss having a picture in front of
the façade. I patiently waited for a guy to
leave the spot I’ve been eyeing . He knew
I was waiting, then, I got the courage to
say “ excuse me can I have a picture here
also,” hoping he would leave right away.
He asked me if I’m a Korean and where I
lived? I said I am a Filipino tourist. Later, he
asked his friend to take a picture of us. He
is a Palestinian tourist and he said he likes
Korea too.
In Hanok village, you will understand the lives of their Korean ancestors. In this
traditional village, five Hanok houses were
moved there. Its for the new generations
to learn about their past and a must see for
tourists also.
They housed various types of furniture and
household goods arranged in accordance
with the size of the houses and the social
status of the people who lived there.
I only pass by the Blue House, the
residence of the President. Camera is not
allowed in this 2-3 minute- drive through,
since all the 6,000 guards are watching
you. I saw complex of buildings, with Mt.
Pukak at the background.
Mt. Pukak is a holy mountain and according
to feng shui, its very lucky to live in that
place because of the holy mountain and
Bulgogi.
Street food.
44
King’s Throne left at the Palace.
a river in front. The mountain blocks the
fierce wind and the river is believed, to
give abundant water. The cost of the house
near the place range from $900,000 to $1
million .
Filipinos love shopping and we’re fond of
discounts. I went to Migliora Mall to look
for jacket and see some of the stuff there.
A good jacket cost about 50,000 KRW and a
pair of lingerie cost 28,000 KRW in Migliora,
a place comparable to Greenhills mall. Our
P450 is equivalent to 10,000 KRW (Korean
won).
I had a memorable experience with
an old lady trader. She does not speak
English, but for Filipinos there are ways to
communicate. I used her calculator to ask
for discount. Then, she smiled and give it to
me. But she had another question which I
really cannot understand. I just said “yes I
will buy that and I have the money to pay.”
The old lady then held my breast to see if
the brassiere fits me. Later, I understood
she was asking for my size. Our Korean
tour guide explained to me that normally
old women and mothers took the size
of their daughters’ bra by measuring the
breast using their hands. Its not an insult
gesture for me, I just felt she’s my grandma.
I laughed a lot when I recall this experience.
Insadong is the place if you want to buy
Korean souvenirs. The street is relaxing and
its cool to walk and watch the galleries,
arts and craft displayed outside the stores
and antiques. For 10,000 KRW, you can
Myeongdong.
only buy little items like ref magnet,
keychains, chopstick.
After you pay and take the item , you say
‘kamsahamnida’, it means ‘thank you’. The
seller will surely smile at you .
Myeongdong is a bustling street with high
rise financial buildings, shopping malls ,
cosmetics and boutiques. It tops the list
of the major tourist spots in Korea for
shopping.
They also have street foods and of course in
their meal, they would never miss Kimchi.
Their Korean barbeque called Bulgogi a
delicious marinated beef , is a national dish
next to Kimchi. The third most famous is the
deliciously spicy Bibimbap, a rice mixed with
vegetables, beef, egg, chili pepper paste.
I had the chance to feel how its like to be
a Korean, thanks to Cebu Pacific. CEB now
flies from both Manila and Cebu to Incheon
(Seoul) and Busan. The flight takes 3.5 hours.
PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF MANNING
AGENCIES AND SHIPMANAGERS, INC.
30
th
45
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PDF - Marinoworld

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