TIM eMagazine Vol . 1 Issue 5
Multi-modal transport , logistics roadmap set
A fter more than a year of preparation and focused group discussions , the Philippines Multi-modal Transport and Logistics Roadmap has been officially launched proposing several recommendations aimed to improve the country ' s shipping and logistics industry by 2030 .
The Philippine International Sea-freight Forwarders Association ( PISFA ) and the United Port-users Confederation spearheaded the activity and which was formally presented to Government last March 8 at the Manila Hotel .
PISFA chair Ma . Emperatriz Regis said that during several focused group discussions with private and public sector stakeholders , “ many of the problems facing the industry which have been with us for many , many years " were tackled .
Cited were : poor infrastructure ; government ’ s noncompliance with international agreements ; lack of a national master plan ; absence of an overall coordinating agency ; unclear , confusing , and conflicting government regulations ; red tape ; and lack of a national skills training program for both new hires and industry professionals . She said these resulted in uncompetitive practices that contribute to high logistics costs in the Philippines .
Stakeholders called for an integrated long-term national master plan for supply chain and logistics be crafted soon in consultation with all stakeholders . It must include provision for a nationwide infrastructure requirements and the development of a strong nautical highway and a roll-on / roll-off terminal system linking the entire country .
“ Manila ports need to be further expanded to meet expected volume growths owing to an expanding economy ,” Regis said . " Such expansion will only be more consequential if there is corresponding expansion of support facilities outside ports ( roads , warehouses , and other off-dock facilities ) to keep pace with ports development .”
The group further recommended the implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport ( AFAMT ), signed by the Department of Transportation and Communications ( DOTC ) in 2005 , and is necessary in the country ’ s compliance to international agreements .
New ships coming , Carnival hires thousands
G lobal cruise line conglomerate Carnival announced several thousands of crew positions it is seeking to fill as it brings ever more new-builds into its fleet , a much welcome news to Filipino seafarers as well as to other sectors of the shipping industry .
Carnival is set to operate Koningsdam , Carnival Vista , Seabourn Encore and AIDAprima this year . Thus , Carnival ' s many subsidiaries need hotel-side staff by the hundreds , plus licensed and unlicensed crew from wipers up to unlimited masters .
For the Vista alone , Carnival expects to fill 1,400 positions , including an operator for its ropes course and aerial cycling amenities , a manager for its multi-sensory theater and 100 musicians and entertainers . At the upper end of the cruise market , the Seabourn Encore requires an embarked tailor .
And Carnival isn ' t the only one with crew berths available . In all , seven cruise ships will be delivered in 2016 , including the Royal Carribean megaships Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas . The latter is set to take the title of world ' s largest with 5,500 passengers . Harmony makes use of its 230,000 gt size to incorporate unusual theme park features , including a ten-story spiral water slide at the stern .
Carnival ' s manning agency in the Philippines is United President Lines , while Royal Caribbean is being handled by Philippine Transmarine Carriers .
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