Shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) companies have formed the Philippines’ first national association for shipyards.
The Shipyards Association of the Philippines (SHAP) will represent 17 shipyards in the country, namely, R & LT Shipyard; RRT Marine Service Corp. Colorado Shipyard Corp., Western Shipyard, Elfa Shipyard Corp., Fortune Shipbuilding and Lighterage, Elfa Shipyard Corp, Keppel Shipyard, Frabelle Shipyard, RBL Shipyard, Austal Shipyard, Philippine Iron Works, Josefa Slipways, Herma Shipyard, SAS Shipyad Inc., Chesteel Marine, and Tsuneishi Shipyard.
Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. said this is a big development that will boost the industry. “We must listen to the collective voice of our shipyards, gauge their needs, and quantify the help the government could offer towards (a) proactive national SBSR industry,” he said in a press release.
“The Philippines is a maritime country, it is (at) the crossroad of Asia-Pacific region, a God-given natural strategic location that would really turn the country into an SBSR hub in Asia.”
Based on Marina data, there were 113 active shipyards in the country in 2013. Seven were categorized as large shipyards, 12 medium, and 94 as small. No significant change in the data has been reported.
Marina said the idea of forming an industry association came up during the SBSR seminar-workshop and roadmapping held in Cebu City last February.
In a manifesto dated May 6, SHAP signified its intent to be a partner of Marina and other government agencies in developing and promoting the Philippines as a major center for shipbuilding and ship repair.
SHAP’s other major objectives include providing support to shipyards in developing physical and manpower capabilities “to increase quality, improve occupational safety, hazards and environmental standards, and achieve global competitiveness.”
In addition, SHAP aims to provide shipyards an official mechanism for interfacing with concerned government agencies such as Marina, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Environment and National Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, local government units, and Congress, among others, to “prepare programs for needed legislations, policy and regulations.”
SHAP will also be the “forum for exchange of information on issues pertaining to legislation, environment, quality standards, safety standards, international accreditation, and other issues integral to shipyards operations.”
It will also “initiate the drafting of proposed legislative measures to enhance the global competitiveness of Philippine shipyards, and to tie up with international associations for collaboration, exchange, technical cooperation, and other matters to support the development of Philippine shipyards.”
SHAP will be launched on June 17 at the opening of the three-day “Marine Philippines 2015,” a shipbuilding and offshore equipment and technology exhibition to be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, where the first set of SHAP officers will be elected. – Roumina Pablo
Image courtesy of Sujin Jetkasettakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
