Editorial: The Pinoy seafarers and the STCW Convention…

The year 2011 will again be a challenge to the Philippines seafaring, manning and crewing industries as a number of mandatory policies sanctioned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to take effect. In less than a year, the amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) will be imposed which is definitely a boon for Filipino seafarers. The benefits, of course, will...

Round Table Discussion

Dr. Pena, University of Cebu, said that he would like to comment on the statement of Capt. Tormon about having technology without the science of teaching. Capt. Tormon then denied saying that. However, Dr. Pena of UC cited that, that was the impression he got from Capt. Tormon’s statements. Dr. Pena  stated that based from the historical foundation of education, education has been existing without technology; so,...

Filipinos biggest beneficiary of Japan’s anti-piracy program

Of the more than 32,600 sailors who benefited from Japan’s Self-Defense Force’s “anti-piracy operations” in the Gulf of Aden during the past 18 months, at least 10,607 were Filipinos, according to the Japanese Embassy in Pasay City. In a report, the embassy said “Filipino seafarers are by far the biggest beneficiaries of this ship escort operations in terms of crew members’ nationalities.” The mission...

DOLE creates Council to promote Ph’s maritime industry

In line with the efforts to help the maritime industry keep up with the global trends, as well as to promote industrial peace and employment of Filipino seafarers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has spearheaded the setting-up of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC), in collaboration with seafarers groups, and local and overseas shipping agencies, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz...

Smart, Unilab forge pact for seafarer, family healthcare

Wireless phone service provider Smart Link and drug maker United Laboratories have forged an agreement to guarantee that the healthcare needs of family members of seafarers are met even if the seafarers are onboard. Dubbed as ‘Alagang Pinoy’, the partnership makes it possible for Filipino seafarers onboard international-going vessels to provide for their family members’ healthcare needs with a simple phone...

Coated Turbine Blades Combat Circumferential Wear

New turbocharger option increases blade exchange times on engines burning low grade HFO Baden, Switzerland, 7th September 2010 – For engines burning lower qualities of heavy fuel oil (HFO) and with especially heavy duty operating profiles, ABB Turbocharging has introduced axial turbine blades having hardfaced tips to counter accelerated circumferential wear. In such applications turbocharger performance and...

MSC adopts new measures against piracy

The maritime security committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved the contingency guidelines for company security officers on hijacking by pirates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, which supplements existing guidelines. The MSC noted the latest statistics on piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, where ships continue...

Superferry reopens Puerto Princesa route in time for summer

A SuperFerry vessel while docked at MSH. After more than a year, SuperFerry will be resuming its trips to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, starting March 25, 2011. “This allows us to reconnect with our regular travelers to and from Palawan while at the same time, bringing Puerto Princesa tourist destinations more accessible to a greater number of people,” said SuperFerry vice president for marketing Andrew Deyto. He...

PPA remits P650 million to the National Government

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) has remitted P650 million this year to the National Treasury in compliance with Republic Act 7656 which declares that all GOCCs should declare and remit at least 50% of annual net earnings to the national government. As one of the earning government corporations, the PPA has substantially shared its net earnings to the...

Tiger Lines is new caller at SBMA

Greek shipping line, Tiger Lines, will start calling at the New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1) at the Subic Bay Freeport in the Philippines starting the second quarter of this year. Tiger Lines will deploy a 750-TEU to 1,000-TEU capacity vessel for its planned bi weekly service plying Subic, Singapore and Malaysia. The bi-weekly service is also a common feeder service, co-loading containers serviced by other shipping...