The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is imposing additional conditions for foreign-registered ships to be permitted temporary operation in Philippine territory.
Marina administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero in Marina Advisory (MA) No. 2018-12 said the additional conditions are “in the interest of service and to ensure that all foreign-registered ships that will be allowed temporary operation in Philippine territory are designed and equipped to undertake their intended purpose/operation.”
MA 2018-12, which took effect on May 21, states that a foreign-registered ship shall be surveyed or inspected by Marina technical personnel before its actual operation and before the renewal or extension of its special permit to operate in Philippine waters.
The ship operator must also provide information on the port of entry, and the estimated arrival date and time should be communicated and included in the application for issuance of special permit.
The applicant must also pay the corresponding processing fee in the conduct of the survey as specified under Marina Circular No. 2015-05, which contains the revised schedule of Marina fees and charges, and its subsequent amendment.
The ship and its officers and crew must also strictly comply with Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) rules and regulations.
The ship’s long-range identification and tracking equipment and automatic identification system should be fully operational when the vessel enters Philippine waters and during its entire operation within Philippine territory.
During the validity of the special permit, Marina’s Enforcement Service will constantly monitor the operation of the foreign-registered ship while the vessel is operating in the country.
Failure by the ship or ship agent to comply with any of the new conditions will be a ground for the special permit to be cancelled or revoked, without prejudice to the imposition of administrative fines and penalties that may be imposed after due process. – Roumina Pablo
