Marina partners with Japan group to develop local shipbuilding sector

MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) seeks to further develop the country’s shipbuilding industry as it partners with a Japanese group for capacity building.

MARINA signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association (JSMEA).

The MOU aims to strengthen the maritime industry of the Philippines and Japan through exchange of ideas and information, among other significant ventures.

MARINA OIC-administrator Narciso Vingson Jr. said the partnership aims to build the capacity of the country’s shipbuilding industry, particularly in areas on how to build our own vessels.

“Once we start to build on our own, this will lead to more job opportunities,” Vingson said.

He emphasized that at present, most of the shipbuilding business in the country is owned by multinational companies.

“We are building ships for other countries. It is situated here but it is owned by multinationals. It’s not all Filipino owned. We just provide the labor force,” Vingson said.

“But if we can encourage our local shipyards to have their own and facilitate it by the government, I think we can build our own,” he added.

Vingson said the MOU with JSMEA would help strengthen the country’s shipbuilding industry and open it up to more jobs and investment.

“In the next couple of years or so, we hope to see a number of domestically made vessels operating on a renewable energy source, in compliance with international standards,” Vingson said.

Last year, the country’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry produced a total of 1,179 ships, mostly fishing and passenger vessels.