DAVAO CITY — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen maritime safety and security in the country, particularly in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries.
Under the MOA signed on November 8, France will post in the country a French maritime expert who will provide the technical assistance, training, and consultancy service to MARINA.
In his statement before the signing, MARINA Administrator Hernani Fabia cited the various risks and issues in the domestic transport sector identified in a study by French shipbuilder OCEA S.A. in March 2020.
CEA also met in July with MARINA officials and discussed its plan of putting up a shipyard in the Philippines.
The MOA obligates the French Embassy in Manila “to promote France’s best maritime practices in ensuring the safety of life and property at sea, maritime security and marine environment protection; promote active participation in developing international standards for the safety and security of transport as well as preventing vessels from polluting the seas.
”The agreement also aims to aid MARINA in creating a national transport plan dedicated to the shipping industry; carry out industry capability and capacity assessments; formulate policy; as well as assess and implement the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) and its related trainings.-PR
