A group of local vessel operators is advocating the passage of a revised Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations (PMMRR) that will push vessel requirements suitable for the local market.
Philippine Ro-Ro Operators Association (PROA) chair and former Philippine Interisland Shipping Association president Col Leonardo Odono said current regulations under PMMRR promulgated in 11997 are based on International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions that are not applicable to the local shipping industry.
For instance, he said the rules on fishing boats or banca operators are impractical, considering the huge financial exposure required.
“Government should really look into having different requirements for different kinds of vessels operating in the domestic trade,” Odono said.
“We can use international regulations as basis for crafting our own rules but we should only adopt those applicable to us,” said Odono, whose group is part of the National Coalition of Shipping Associations opposing several “impractical” maritime policies.
“Unless we have more streamlined procedures, investments in the local maritime industry will continue to remain low,” he added.
The current PMMRR applies the same rules on investors regardless of whether they want to operate large ro-ro/passenger vessels, tankers or outriggers.
The PMMRR covers vessels 500 gross tons (GT) and above. In the local shipping industry, only a handful of vessels are 500 GT and above; more than 70% are below 500GT.
