According to a recent statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently rescued an injured crew of a Chinese cargo vessel “MV Wuzhou 8” along the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island, Cavite. According to the initial investigation, on Sunday, January 12, a Chinese crewmember accidentally fell into the cargo hold and suffered a head injury while on duty.
The Government of the Philippines will boost the country’s cruise tourism from 2020 by attracting more cruise tourists arriving with international ships at the Salomague Ilocos Cruise Port, near the northern tip of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines.
The Philippine’s Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) expressed confidence it will address all deficiencies surrounding seafarers’ training and certification in light of the next EMSA audit in February 2020. The Philippines has already submitted documents to show proof of compliance to EMSA.
The UK P&I Club alerts that the Philippines declared an outbreak of POLIO in September this year and a number of countries have reacted by introducing a requirement for polio vaccine from Filipino seafarers, when visiting certain ports.
The Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA), recently warned the domestic shipping field that Philippines may not be prepared to comply with the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap, which begins from the 1st January 2020. With exactly three weeks left until the official force of the regulation, the Philippines express their concerns.
The Philippines has a long history of fatal maritime accidents. This time, SAFETY4SEA focuses on the deadly sinking of the ‘Princess of the Orient’. The ferry sank off Fortune Island, near the provinces of Cavite and Batangas, on September 18, 1998, claiming the lives of 150 people. Extreme weather conditions, along with ‘’erroneous maneuvering of the vessel by the captain’’, were the immediate causes of the accident.
In its weekly report for 12-18 November, ReCAAP ISC informed of two attempted incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. One incident occurred at Alpha Anchorage, Batangas Bay, Philippines and another one at the Singapore Strait, which has been a key area of concern for maritime security in recent months.
The inaugural SAFETY4SEA Manila Forum was successfully concluded on Tuesday 12th of November 2019 at New World Manila Bay Hotel, Philippines, attracting 350 delegates from 120 organizations. Discussions varied among key challenges affecting the industry, with a special focus on the hot issue of attracting new generations and diversified talents in the maritime industry which is struggling to cope with the reforms brought by accelerating technology and remain productive and efficient.
During September, the Indonesian Directorate General of Disease Prevention of Ministry of Health informed that it is compulsory for all Health Offices at Indonesian sea and air ports to make sure that everyone arriving from the Philippines has had a polio vaccination.
The Indonesian government announced on Friday, August 30th 2019 that a ban on nickel ore exports would come into effect on the 1st of January 2020; two years prior to its planned date, causing an immediate spike in its price. Even though this retreated as the market took a more measured view of the nickel outlook, there is little doubt that in the years to come the ban will have significant implications for NPI supply.
