As the Philippines welcomed its first dual-fuel methanol-powered KAMSARMAX bulk carrier built on local soil, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country is ready to take the lead in sustainable maritime transport.

Marcos attended the delivery and naming ceremony of Hull No. SC443, an 81,200-metric-ton dual-fuel methanol-powered KAMSARMAX bulk carrier named Brave Pioneer, on Thursday morning in Balamban.

“This achievement sends a clear message to the whole world. The Philippines is ready to lead in the global transition towards low-carbon and sustainable maritime transport,” Marcos said.

“This occasion not only celebrates the launching of a vessel, it is also a celebration of progress and of innovation. And above all, we celebrate the Filipino capacity to rise to the challenge of a rapidly changing world,” he added.

Marcos also highlighted the role of international partnerships in the project, noting that the vessel was constructed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. under the Tsuneishi Group Corporation.

The project was undertaken through a partnership between Tsuneishi Group Corporation and the Aboitiz Group, represented at the event by its president and DAILY TRIBUNE Filipino of the Year Sabin Aboitiz.

According to Marcos, the vessel also showcases Filipino craftsmanship, ingenuity, and competitiveness, as it was built in Balamban.

Compared with traditional ships, the dual-fuel methanol-powered KAMSARMAX vessel can operate on both methanol and conventional fuels, significantly reducing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide emissions.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry alongside the adoption of green technologies.

“This administration also remains fully committed to strengthening the shipbuilding and shiprepair industry by enhancing its competitiveness, sustainability, and strategic capacity,” he said.

“By continuing to invest in green technologies and advanced manufacturing, we are shaping the Philippines into a future-ready maritime hub that can meet the evolving demands of global trade,” he added.