Phl hosts shipping gab, expo

In a quest to realize the dream of the present administration to turn the Philippines into one of Southeast Asia's maritime powerhouses, a convention of the world's leading ship registries and shipbuilders will be hosted by the country for the first time next year.

The Flag State and Shipbuilders Convention and Expo: Maritime Philippines 2023 is set on 16 to 17 February 2023 at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.

Rachelle Lopez of Worldwide Maritime Operations Company Group, organizer of the event, said she sees the convention as a favorable opportunity to ventilate critical maritime issues and gather momentum for the Marcos administration to develop the national maritime industry.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. counts among his election campaign promises and mentioned during his first State of the Nation Address the transformation of the Philippines into a regional shipping hub.

Notable speakers from some of the biggest flag states like Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong and Singapore will be sharing their experiences and success stories that helped propel their countries into maritime hubs.

Participants will be given the rare opportunity to learn and understand the requirements to have a vessel registered in a flag state and how to comply with pertinent maritime rules.

Participants will understand how a country must have the necessary maritime infrastructure, funding and compliance with International Maritime Organization regulations to become a flag state, Lopez added.

The convention will also be a rare opportunity to have a first-hand look at what flag states can offer especially with the heightened focus of the European Maritime Safety Agency on all seafarers onboard European-owned ships.

Further, Lopez said the conference will be holding simultaneous exhibitions and fora that will present the shipbuilding and ship repair industry of the Philippines.

"The Philippines is truly a land of great opportunity. We believe, therefore, that it is time for all the players and stakeholders to meet with investors, policymakers, and international developers to share insights and ideas as well as exchange information on matters and issues of mutual interest," Lopez said.

The event is supported by the Maritime Industry Authority which believes that it is time for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry in the Philippines to be prioritized.