THE PHILIPPINE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) announced on Monday that it is working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Bank Group on a project aimed at improving domestic ferry safety while also incorporating energy efficiency.
The three organizations started on Dec. 1 a nationwide study on passenger ship safety and energy efficiency in the Philippines.
“With the maritime transport landscape continuously evolving, the implementation of the ‘Study on the Safety and Energy Efficiency of Domestic Passenger Ships in the Philippines’ is timely and relevant,” Shipyards Regulation Service Director Ramon C. Hernandez said in a statement.
The study also aims to identify “the most practical and cost-effective options” for reducing the carbon footprint of the domestic shipping sector.
Marina has previously issued policies aimed at mitigating the environmental damage caused by the shipping industry, including a memorandum circular requiring Philippine-registered ships plying domestic routes to adhere to the Global Sulphur Cap.
“The regulation requires ships to use fuels with only 0.5% m/m Sulphur content,” Marina said. — Arjay L. Balinbin