Somali Pirates Seize Greek Ship with 19 Filipinos

Posted by alisa in maritime news, updates on November 12th, 2009

Picture of Bulk Carrier by Hervé Cozanet from the marine-marchande.net

Picture of Bulk Carrier by Hervé Cozanet from the marine-marchande.net

Somali Pirates have seized another ship, this time a Greek-owned bulk carrier named MV Filitsa. This Marshall Island flag carrier is manned with 22 crew members- three Greek , and 19 Filipinos.

Just last week an article written by Kimberly Jane T. Tan  of  GMANews.TV reported that 36 Filipinos were already under hostage by these pirates.

According to CNN, there have been more than 100 pirate attacks off east Africa just this year alone.

The MV Filitsa, 14,431 GT, is owned by Fortress Shipping Co. and operated by TKB Shipping.

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Directories to aid distressed ferries

Posted by Ronald in maritime news, updates on October 29th, 2009

The Philippine Coast Guard has printed and distributed copies of PCG Communications Directory to shipping companies and maritime stakeholders to help improve co-ordinations and communications in support of the conduct of safe, clean and secure sea travel.

The said directory includes listing of communications devices such as landlines, fax machines, cellular phones, VSAT, Microwave System, email addresses and internet available in the PCG Headquarters, 5 Major Support Commands, 10 Districts, 55 Stations, and 195 Detachments around the country. PCG also created a website (www.coastguard.gov.ph) for swift and easy way of disseminating of information to shipping companies and maritime stakeholders were they can look through the announcement/notice to mariners, whether forecast, Board of Marine Inquiry concerns, PCG recruitment result, press releases and etc. Also included in the directory are the contact details of the emergency services and organizations that can provide assistance in times of crisis.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo said the distribution or circulation of PCG Directory will help facilitate the immediate reporting of maritime incidents and improve co-ordinations among shipping companies and government agencies, and for availability of Coast Guard assistance to vessels in distress.

With the observance of holidays and other peak travel seasons, PCG units have been placed on heightened alert to render passenger assistance in all busy ports in the country. Quick Response Teams, Special Operations Group divers/rescue swimmers, and medical, K-9, and Oil Spill Response Teams will augment Coast Guard Boarding Teams and Sea Marshals to help port authorities and shipping companies ensure the safety and security of maritime travellers, the number of which has started to increase this November. The PCG has also redeployed its vessels and small crafts close to busy sea lanes/maritime traffic for ready assistance when necessary.

PCG Auxiliary volunteers will likewise join the Passenger Assistance Center booths which are jointly manned by teams from PCG, Philippine Ports Authority and Maritime Industry Authority to help the riding public.

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French navy captures Somali pirates

Posted by admin in maritime news on October 11th, 2009

Photo release from the French defense ministry showing the surrendering pirates aboard their skiff.

Photo release from the French defense ministry showing the surrendering pirates aboard their skiff.

A group of Somali pirates has committed a fatal mistake when they recently attacked a seemingly harmless vessel that turned out to be a French navy command and supply ship.

Two skiffs attacked the Somme late at night some 500 kms off the Somali coast. One of the skiffs managed to get away, while one, with five Somali pirates aboard, was caught by the Somme after an hour-long chase.

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Skippers form FILSCAPTS

Posted by admin in cover story, maritime news on September 27th, 2009

No less than Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, president of the Associated Marine and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AMOSUP), inducted the first set of officers of the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc. (Filscapts) at the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last September 24, 2009. The captain then issued a check worth Php50,000 as donation for Filscapts fund—the first to be received by the new group.
Filscapts is a group of seasoned Filipino master mariners and captains, both active and now manning executives, who share the strong desire to help develop the Philippine maritime industry. It also aims to position the country as the number one maritime nation in Asia, if not the world.
Among the pioneering officers of Filscapts are Capt. Victor Del Prado, president; Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones, VP–internal; Capt. Hernando Eusebio, VP–external; Capt. Walfredo Rivas, secretary; and Capt. Roberto Nieto, treasurer.
The board of directors consist of Captains Nick Altares, Constantino Arcellana, Jr., Dever Besana, Severro Cuison, Jr., Fidel Dinoso, Del Prado, Eusebio, Donato Marfil, Nieto, Antonio Palenzuela, Quinones, Rodolfo Paz, Rivas, Juanito Salvatierra and Danilo Venida.
New members were inducted by Capt. Del Prado.
Filscapts intends to encourage and promote high standards of qualification, competence, and knowledge among Filipino Ship Captains (Master Mariners) to ensure shipboard Safe Operational Practices, Preservation from Human Injury, Protection of the Environment and Safety of Life and Property at Sea.
Filscapts also plans to cooperate with  government agencies, other groups and associations, and educational institutions in furthering the development of nautical science education and professional practice.
The group also plans to encourage maritime research and publication of its results.
Another objective of the group is to unite the Filipino ship captains into a cohesive group establishing and maintaining appropriate educational and professional standard of membership.
It also intends to foster camaraderie and harmonious relationship among all Filipino ship captains promoting high ideals of professional ethics, integrity, prestige and dedication to the merchant marine service.
It will actively participate and provide maritime-related technical expert advices or consultancy works or assistance to government and private agencies, bodies or associations in pursuit towards development, and improvements of safety of ships, lives, properties and environment in the local and international shipping industry.
Lastly, it aims to promote, encourage and develop continuing socio-economic programs for the welfare of its members, as well as their families, and further serve as vehicle through which government and private assistance, grants, support can be beneficially extended to its members and their families.
Filscapts was incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission on 19 June 2009. â– 

FILSCAPTS--edited

No less than Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, president of the Associated Marine and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AMOSUP), inducted the first set of officers of the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc. (Filscapts) at the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last September 24, 2009. The captain then issued a check worth Php50,000 as donation for Filscapts fund—the first to be received by the new group.

Filscapts is a group of seasoned Filipino master mariners and captains, both active and now manning executives, who share the strong desire to help develop the Philippine maritime industry. It also aims to position the country as the number one maritime nation in Asia, if not the world. Read the rest of this entry »

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Manila to host 10th Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference

Posted by admin in maritime news, media partner, updates on September 25th, 2009

Manila to host 10th anniversary Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference
MANILA – The Philippines, the world’s manning capital, will be hosting the 10th Anniversary Asia-Pacific Manning and Training Conference.
Considered the largest and most important manning conference in the world, the event will be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila on November 4 to 5.
Participants can register on-line at www.manningandtraining.com or call +44(0)20 7017 5511 or fax +44 (0)20 7017 4745.
Organized by the UK-based conference specialist, Lloyd’s List events, the conference will carry the theme “Seeking Solutions in Partnership: An Industry Commitment to the Future of Manning and Training.”
“The shipping industry’s no. 1 manpower event offers a dynamic programme that looks ahead to solutions and strategies to prepare crews for the ships of the future rather than re-packaging analyses of the current downturn,” Conference Producer Kathryn Barnard pointed out.
The conference will be chaired by John Adams, managing director of Teekay Marine Services, who will preside over presentations and panel discussions covering a broad range of topics.
Topics include: “A retrospective of the Philippine manning industry as it prepares for the next wave of opportunities”; “Manpower supply: a strategic outlook”; “Recruitment and retention strategies”; “Review of industry regulations” and “Pioneering recruitment and retention initiatives.”
Remarking on last year’s event, L. Marquard of HeavyLift Manila, Inc. described it as “an international, well-organized event in the heart of the industry, the Philippines.”
The remark was echoed by M. Burley of V Ships who described the conference as “thought provoking and valuable content for change.”
To meet the specialized needs of various participants, delegates will for the first time be given the choice of attending one of two topic streams on the second conference day. The first stream will tackle: “Effective Training: How to Ensure Competence Onboard”. The second stream will discuss: “Safe Manning: How to Ensure Sufficient and Efficient Manning.”
The event will also feature two workshops. A pre-conference IFSMA (International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations) workshop entitled “Does Fatigue and Criminalization have an Effect on Recruitment?” will be held on November 3 at the same venue.
A post-conference workshop entitled “Assessment of Crew Competence” will be held on November 6.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the conference, a gala dinner featuring a three course meal, pre-dinner drinks and local entertainment will be held at the grounds of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on the evening of November 4. “This will be an excellent way to network in relaxed surroundings and reflect on the days proceedings,” Kathryn Barnard said. Philippine resident delegates will behotel-sofitelextended a special conference rate of UK399 pounds.

hotel-sofitel

MANILA – The Philippines, the world’s manning capital, will be hosting the 10th Anniversary Asia-Pacific Manning and Training Conference.

Considered the largest and most important manning conference in the world, the event will be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila on November 4 to 5.

Participants can register on-line at www.manningandtraining.com or call +44(0)20 7017 5511 or fax +44 (0)20 7017 4745. Read the rest of this entry »

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Domestic passenger vessel sinks

Posted by admin in maritime news, updates on September 5th, 2009

More than 100 passengers are still missing after a domestic passenger vessel, listing early today, finally sunk off Zamboanga City, authorities said today.
The Superferry 9 was on its way to the port of Iloilo when its captain issued a distress signal around 4 am (2000 GMT Saturday) when the ship began to tilt in heavy seas about 70 nautical miles off Zamboanga City, said authorities.
Follow the news here.

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More than 100 passengers are still missing after a domestic passenger vessel, listing early today, finally sunk off Zamboanga City, authorities said today.

The Superferry 9 was on its way to the port of Iloilo when its captain issued a distress signal around 4 am (2000 GMT Saturday) when the ship began to tilt in heavy seas about 70 nautical miles off Zamboanga City, said authorities.

Authorities say around 700 passengers have been rescued.

More details from the Philippine Daily Inquirer here, and from the BBC here.

Official news from Superferry here.

(photo credit goes to wakanatsu.com)

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Zamboanga port expands, opens new facilities

Posted by admin in OSG Ship Management Manila, PPA ISO Management System, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Uncategorized, updates on August 10th, 2009

gma-zbo-2

The expansion of the Port of Zamboanga has finally finished with no less than Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurating the new facilities.

The PHP717.47-million expansion project added a 270-linear-meter reinforced concrete wharf, a 1.8-hectare backup area, an improved drainage system, and new port lighting facilities, improving the port’s capability to accept foreign and domestic vessels, making the Port of Zamboanga a viable gateway for ASEAN trade.

gma-zbo

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) officials led by PPA-South Mindanao District Manager Sak Sawadjaan and PMO-Zamboanga Port Manager Nilo Miole led Zamboanguenos in welcoming the president.


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PPA seeks ISO certification for Batangas port

Posted by admin in OSG Ship Management Manila, PPA ISO Management System, maritime news, media partner on August 9th, 2009

iso

The Symbolic Launching of the PPA ISO-QMS on August 3, 2009, attended by PPA Executives (Upper-L), during which Atty. Gloria Victoria-Bañas, Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration, lead the unveiling of the PPA Quality Policy Statement (Lower-L) and delivered the Inspirational Message (Right).

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is working on an ISO certification, a move to standardize some of the operational functions in some of its major ports nationwide.

PPA General Manager Atty. Oscar M. Sevilla said that the PPA has selected the “vessel entrance and clearance process at the Port of Batangas” to be certified first after which the process is hoped to be replicated in other major ports.

The state owned corporation recently conducted the symbolic launching of the PPA ISO Quality Management System (QMS) on vessel entrance and clearance at the Port of Batangas.  Said ISO QMS certification is being pursued by PPA in line with the objective of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Project on the Development of QMS for DOTC cluster Agencies and in compliance with the requirements of Executive Order 605 which directs all departments and agencies of the Executive Branch to establish and adopt the ISO-certified QMS.

During its symbolic launching, PPA AGM Atty. Gloria Bañas said that the launching of the PPA ISO QMS is a fitting realization of the Port Agency’s vision to make the major ports of the country catapult into the international ocean of world class port.  “Expectedly, this event now marks PPA’s initial journey towards ISO certification,” AGM Bañas added.

Lilian Javier, PPA port operations services department manager said that the DOTC Project on QMS also aims to provide the required training to enable agencies to gain expertise on the ISO-QMS Standards.  Cascading of the trainings and replication of the initial ISO-QMS process  to other ports nationwide and/or expansion to other processes are left to the Port Agency to work on.

The PPA targets to start the implementation at the Port of Batangas this mid August and to start working on its replication in Davao and General Santos before the year ends.  “We plan to continue the same for the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Iloilo by next year,” Ms. Javier added

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Rare footage aboard Somali pirate-seized ship

Posted by admin in maritime news on July 24th, 2009

A rare peek into the lives of seamen taken hostage by Somali pirates can be seen in this cellphone video recorded by one of the hostages aboard MV Faina, the Ukrainian vessel seized last year. The Faina was carrying tanks and heavy weapons for delivery to Kenya.

Girish Juneja of Channel4.com of UK reports.

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Manila Ocean Park holds Marine Life contests for youth

Posted by admin in maritime news, updates on July 18th, 2009

manila-ocean-parkThe Manila Ocean Park, the first state of the art indoor oceanarium in the Philippines, in coordination with the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) through its youth arm, the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP), will sponsor a series of competitions aimed at enhancing awareness on Philippine marine biodiversity protection among youth leaders of today.

The project is in connection with the 10th International Youth Day Celebration and Youth and Educators Summit for the Millennium Development Goals (YES 4 MDGs!) to be held on August 5-7, 2009 at the University of Makati (UMAK) Little Theater through the sponsorship of the the  City of Makati through the leadership of Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.

Read the rest of this entry »

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