THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has identified two new lay-up areas in the Philippines — the Harbor of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental along Tañon Strait, and the anchorage area of Tsunishei Heavy Industries Philippines, Inc in Balamban, Cebu.
Entities to be accredited as a lay-up agent in the declared sites must submit to Marina a survey map indicating the longitudinal and latitudinal positions where ships are to be laid up, subject to compliance with qualification requirements of Marina Circular Number 2009-07 on the nature of business undertaking, management competence, technical capability, financial capability and documentary requirements.
Marina has five accredited lay-up agents: Asia-Pacific Chartering Phils, Inc; Lacerta Shipping Agencies Phils, Inc; National Marine Corp; Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc; and Southship Handlers Phils., Inc.
Expected to join this list shortly is Maritime Services and Management, Inc, (MSMI), which has sole jurisdiction to market the Tañon Strait lay-up site by virtue of a memorandum of understanding it entered into with the local government of San Carlos. MSMI is still securing its papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
According to MSMI, there are about 10 vessels from different flag states which expressed interest to lay up their ships in Tañon Strait.
MSMI will offer both hot and cold lay-up. Discounts will apply for cold lay-ups as long as the principal allows local seafarers to man the ship while parked.
MSMI has agreed to a revenue-sharing agreement with the City Government of San Carlos where $10-$15 of the $91-$120 per day lay-up fee will go to local coffers.
Pursuant to Letter of Instruction (LO) No. 341 of 1978, Marina is empowered to oversee and coordinate various government activities relative to the establishment in the Philippines of lay-up centers.
Earlier, the Philippine Ports Authority also accredited its own lay-up agent — Relinic International Trading Corp — to market its designated lay-up areas nationwide, particularly along the Manila Bay.
