Maritime
MARINA to enhance maritime
industry investment climate
MARINA Officer-in-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso
Vingson Jr (3rd from left seated) leads the domestic
shipping, the shipbuilding and ship repair industries
officials in the forum
Credit: marina.gov.ph
T
he Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will enhance
the investment climate in the domestic shipping, as well
as in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries to further
encourage private sector participation the maritime
industry.
In a forum on the results of the assessment on the
implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 9295 or the
Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, MARINA
revealed that there is a need to increase awareness among stakeholders
about the provisions of RA 9295. Once of which is the granting of
incentives as it was noted that from 2014 to 2017, only 103 of the 2,148
imported ships from were granted with Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions.
Hence, the MARINA has committed to formulate an attractive financing
scheme and to review existing incentive programs for the players in the
domestic shipping and shipbuilding industries. The agency will also
review regulations to accelerate fleet modernization programs, as well as
modernize naval ships and maritime security assets. The enhancement
of shipbuilding research and development, modernization of shipyard
facilities, and provision of regular training for shipyard personnel will also
be prioritized.
On a positive note, the MARINA assessment revealed that the
deregulation of the domestic shipping industry has promoted the ease
of doing business through the reduction in the processes, processing
time of applications, and flexibility in fleet operation. This resulted to a
steady increase in the issuance of the Certificate of Public Convenience
(CPCs) since 2010, allowing more shipping operators to take part in the
enhancement of the navigability within Philippine borders by serving
existing routes, as well as new routes.
The MARINA believes that through the availability of needed materials
locally, the installment of modern shipbuilding and ship repair facilities,
and the improvement of the quality management system, Philippine
shipyards may increase its capability to construct an average of 500 gross
tonnages (GT) to 2500 GT of tankers or roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) passenger
ships for the domestic market.
Finally, in support of the ten-year maritime industry development
plan (MIDP), the MARINA is set to implement a vessel retirement program
for all ships that failed to meet the minimum classification standards of a
government-recognized classification society to uphold maritime safety
and environmental protection.
The MARINA has successfully conducted the forum on the results of
the assessment of RA 9295 in collaboration with the International Finance
Corporation – World Bank (IFC – WB).
marina.gov.ph
The MARINA has committed to formulate an attractive financing scheme and to review
existing incentive programs for the players in the domestic shipping and shipbuilding
industries. The agency will also review regulations to accelerate fleet modernization
programs, as well as modernize naval ships and maritime security assets. The
enhancement of shipbuilding research and development, modernization of shipyard
facilities, and provision of regular training for shipyard personnel will also be prioritized.
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