Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 13) — The Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement with the French Embassy to strengthen the country’s shipbuilding and repair industry to ensure maritime safety and security, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said on Sunday.
The agreement was signed by MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani Fabia and Olivier Ginepro, head of the Philippines Economic Service of the French Embassy, last Nov. 8.
Under the agreement, France will deploy a maritime expert to the Philippines to provide technical assistance, training, and consultancy service to the MARINA.
The agreement also obliges the French Embassy “to promote France’s best maritime practices in ensuring the safety of life and property at sea, maritime security and marine environment protection,” as well as “active participation in developing international standards for the safety and security of transport, and preventing vessels from polluting the seas.”
Moreover, the memorandum seeks the creation of a national transport plan for the country’s shipping industry.
“With this, both parties expressed strong stance that a sustained partnership and collaboration will lead to the promotion and effective implementation of the Ten-Year Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP). The MIDP targets to replace obsolete and uneconomic vessels, modernize the local fleet, enhance domestic shipbuilding, repair, maintain and develop a pool of trained manpower,” MARINA said in a statement.
According to MARINA, the Philippines is the fifth largest shipbuilding nation globally, based on 2020 data. The country has registered vessels at about 29,974, comprised of 4,114 large merchant vessels and 25,860 motorized bancas and fishing boats.
Last March, France said that it is ready to extend assistance to the Philippines in modernizing its armed forces, including the possibility of supplying assets for a Philippine submarine force.
