Celebrating Filipino naval architects and marine engineers

Last week, I was honored to be one of the speakers at the Technical Learning 2025 of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Inc. (SONAME) with the theme: “Honoring the Past, Shaping the Present, Inspiring the Future.” The topic I was assigned was “Protecting Your Ship Design” but I decided to broaden it by including knowing and earning from their IP.

SONAME is the Philippines’ premier national association for professionals in naval architecture, marine engineering, ship design, and related maritime disciplines. Accredited by the Professional Regulations Commission, SONAME is the nation’s sole professional organization representing Filipino naval architects and marine engineers.

SONAME traces its heritage to the Philippine Association of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (PANAME) formed in the 1950s during the establishment of naval architecture programs at NAMEI Polytechnic Institute.

As the maritime sector grew, PANAME successfully campaigned for Republic Act 4565 in 1965, codifying naval architecture and marine engineering as regulated professions. In 2008, PANAME evolved into SONAME, broadening its membership to include all professionals involved in maritime design, construction, operation, repair, and related services. Its primary mission is to uphold the highest standards of professional competence of Filipino marine engineers and naval architects.

One early milestone was the 2013 “Roadmap for the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Profession (2013–2023),” which charted long-term objectives across education, licensing, professional practice, promotion, and policy.

SONAME has forged critical partnerships to boost the Philippines’ maritime capabilities. In 2009, it partnered with ShipConstructor to provide advanced design software training, delivering programs to academic institutions like the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies.

The alliance with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has been particularly impactful, focusing on enhancing domestic shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and audit capacities. Marina now includes SONAME representation on its Board, which was where I met its current Chair, Engr. Sammuel Lim, who was my seatmate during board meetings when I represented DTI in the Marina Board from 2017-2019. Programs like technical learning sessions have seen strong participation, including 43 new naval architect licensure passers in 2024.

SONAME plays a vital role in domestic maritime policy, advocating for the modernization of shipping fleets, shipbuilding incentives, and legislative reforms. Its forums attract both local and global experts, covering topics from damage stability standards to high-speed craft technologies and marine engine efficiencies.

With at least 1,000 members nationwide, SONAME has positioned itself at the heart of the Philippine maritime industry’s growth. The country now ranks as the fourth-largest global shipbuilder by orderbook and tonnage — an ascent driven by local shipyard capacities and the dedication of maritime professionals. It remains instrumental in guiding this momentum, championing professional development, technical innovations, and national policy.

In its 75th year, SONAME has evolved into a robust professional body that fosters technical excellence, regulatory advocacy, and international collaboration. With a proactive roadmap, strengthened partnerships with Marina and academic institutions, and continual investment in training and certification, SONAME is driving both the professionalization of marine architects and the Philippines’ ambition to be a global maritime force.

As the maritime sector advances, so too does SONAME — ensuring that Filipino naval architects and marine engineers maintain their relevance, resilience, and global competitiveness in a dynamic maritime landscape. Congratulations to its new set of officers led by Chair Engr. Sammuel Lim and president Engr. Jacklyn Descartin — who took their oath before Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan — as they lead SONAME on its 75th year!