A Manila-based maritime security analyst, Rommel Banlaoi, said that China’s dredging activities have completely changed the character of what were once tidal rocks and that the court could very well recognize the Philippines has maritime entitlements in the area. Numerous parties involved in the dispute are key US allies who are looking to the U.S.to protect their claims. Wu said the United States should not force other countries to accept its proposal and must not infringe upon other country’s interests in the name of maintaining freedom of navigation.

An article in the state-run tabloid Global Times acknowledged that the US and Japan would have “calculated that the Strait of Malacca is within the radius of Chinese aircraft above the reefs”. The USA government claims it was on “routine operations in the South China Sea in accordance with global law”. Beijing’s claim that its territory is being infringed upon therefore rests on a sketchy map dating to the 1940s in which nine dashes are superimposed across 80 percent of the South China Sea.

An EU official stated that the union is anxious by Beijing’s plans for more islands. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei contest China’s sovereignty over parts of one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. China insists its sovereignty in the South China Sea was grounded in history and protected under global laws including the UNCLOS. Washington and Beijing should exercise self-restraint to prevent an unanticipated incident that could escalate into a military confrontation.

The European Union has been nursing relations with Beijing, hoping to attract Chinese funds to relaunch the bloc’s sluggish economy and has been negotiating a bilateral investment and trade deal. A new hearing will now be held behind closed doors in The Hague, and a final decision is not expected until next year. Mr. Xi pledged that China would not militarize the islets it is building – but that dubious promise, like his already-broken pledge to end cyberattacks on US companies, needs to be tested in practice. “Nothing has been canceled”, said the official.

The Philippines filed the case before the tribunal in The Hague in 2013 to seek a ruling on its right to exploit the South China Sea waters within its 200-nautical mile (370km) exclusive economic zone as allowed under the United Nations convention. The Tribunal dismissed the arguments stated by China in its position paper that was not officially submitted but nevertheless, considered by the Court. The court has now ruled that it has jurisdiction in the case and will rule on the matter. It should freeze construction of facilities on the artificial islands and start talks with the other countries concerned to settle territorial disputes, including pushing negotiations with ASEAN for an early conclusion of a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea.

Source: UFS

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has allowed Navotas-based Asian Shipping Corp., one of the largest domestic shipping firms in the Philippines, to increase its authorized capital stock by nearly seven times, from p300 million to R2 billion.

In one of its recent en banc sessions, SEC Commissioners already approved the request of Asian Shipping to boost the company’s capital to p2 billion, while having a current subscribed capital of p725 million and paid-up capital of R406.25 million.

The company announced in its social networking site account more than a week ago that it just launched its brand new tug, M/Tug Ernie.

When asked for comments regarding the new fleet and its reasons for increasing its capital, the company did not yet give any response.

Asian Shipping, which leases landing craft tanks, tugs, and barges, was the top domestic shipping company in the Philippines in terms of gross register tonnage (GRT), with 125.7 thousand GRT, in 2014, a Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) data showed.

In terms of the number of fleets, Asian Shipping is also one of the biggest among local shipping firms having more than a hundred vessels.

The Maritime Industry Authority is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and Communications tasked to accelerate the integrated development of the maritime industry in the country.

In the latest available data provided by Marina, a total of 20,280 vessels are engaged in domestic operations in the Philippines as of July, 2014, up 6 percent from 19,011 in December, 2013.

Other companies who recently bagged the SEC approval to increase their authorized capital stocks are AL Hilal International Shipping Corp. and Majestic Landscape Corp.

Al Hilal, which does international shipping, got the approval to increase its capital from R25 million to R125 million, while holding firm Majestic Landscape was allowed to hike its capital from R10 million to R210 million.

According to its website, Al Hilal pioneered the development of the petroleum tanker and agriculture/marine trades in the country. It offers a wide range of shipping-related services catering to mining, oil, gas, container and specialty carriers.

As one of the largest shipping operators in the Sulu archipelago region, it manages more than 10 vessels on a 24-hour a day routine.

Majestic Landscape, on the other hand, is a local holding firm that is engaged in real estate, landscaping, among others.

Source: Seafarertimes

United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) yesterday once again thumped the seemingly hard-headed and insensible Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) through another monolithic demonstration held exactly outside MARINA’s office in Taft, Manila.

The protesters, however, were shocked as Coast Guard trainees were shamelessly used by MARINA to form a human barricade thwarting UFS-led demonstration. The action employed yesterday by MARINA was never a new thing  as during the first rally last October 14, 2015, it intentionally re-scheduled and held the oath-taking of its newly-registered and promoted officers at the parking lot of MARINA—a desperate counter act that was conspicuously aimed at blocking the protesters.

UFS’ second protest rally was prompted due to MARINA’s continued negligence in attending to Filipino seafarers’ concerns considering the fact that the latter had already agreed with the former after the first dissent to review its implemented platforms which earlier drew overwhelming flak from Filipino mariners for being “unjustifiable and a heavy burden.”

Prior to yesterday’s demonstration, UFS already held a rally on October 14, 2015 in which one of the issues raised was the re-raking of licensure examinations among mariners who have not used their license for five years or more. Shortly after, MARINA expressed its willingness to review and modify some of its provisions to attain mutual understanding between their party and the protesters.

However, the recent circular order released by MARINA does not seem to walk its talk. While the re-taking of licensure examination is no longer included to its roster of requirements, a new “abbreviated test” popped out as a replacement of such—an act which is a clear manifestation that MARINA is underestimating Filipino mariners’ comprehension about the subject at hand.

UFS questions the significant difference between the abbreviated test and the actual licensure examination. But MARINA Administrator Maximo Mejia could not offer a concrete answer that would meet both ends—their goal of attaining “maritime excellence” as well as UFS and other mariners’ concerns.

Apparently, the content and scope of the exam was the only thing that has been modified, but looking at the bigger picture, the consequences that the abbreviated exams entail are no different to the licensure test.

Failure in examination is equal to inability to work as a licensed mariner, inability to work is tantamount to zero salary—a ghastly fact that marine protesters are trying to prevent.

UFS along with thousands of allies, expert engineers, and mariners–who are one of the prime movers of the seafaring industry; thus, of the Philippine economy—will never get tired of pursuing its sworn mandate of protecting the welfare of the Filipino mariners.

Unless MARINA’s rotten system has been muscled down, the fight continues—no matter how far and how long it takes.

Source: Tinig ng Marino

Photo Source: Inquirer News

It was a frolic and fun-filled day for more than 2,000 Filipino seafarers who flocked at the Luneta Seafarers Welfare Foundation (LUSWELF) today, November 13, 2015 as BZ Alpha Navigation held its grand opening with an aim of bringing their institution closer to seafarers.

The jam-packed three-hour program—which gathered seafarers for a massive celebration, sharing sumptuous and plentiful food while grooving to the upbeat music of Styrofoam band—was particularly staged to mark the launching of BZ Alpha Navigation, an international shipping agency in the Philippines whose mother company is Alpha Navigation headquartered in the United States of America (USA).

Three of the company’s big bosses graced the event and laid down the projects and platforms that the company has crafted for the Filipino seafarers. Mrs. Lerman O. Clavel, vice president, discussed the benefits and the cadetship program including scholarship that they offer to their current and soon-to-be employees and selected scholars from local maritime schools, respectively; Mr. Simon A. Varias, director, said BZ Alpha specifically targets to  guide and hone Filipino seafarers for further improvement in aptitude and other important aspects through their programs; while Mr. Bogdan Zelenski, founder, took the chance to thank all the attendees for such a heartfelt support and vowed to continue what they have started for the benefit of many Filipino seafarers.

Captain Edgardo Flores of Navigator and Captain Reynold “Burt” Sabay of New Simulator Center of the Philippines Inc. (NEWSIM) were invited to serve as keynote speakers who expressed their support to the ideals and present activities that BZ Alpha is employing. Both of them are supportive of BZ Alpha Navigation and will serve as partners in training the officers of the company.

United Filipino Seafarers President Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, who was also invited as a speaker, commended BZ Alpha Navigation’s unprecedented initiative of holding their grand opening day program in LUSWELF despite being a new kid in the block and said that no other manning agency and shipping company had done such a grand launch of their company in Luneta park yet.

Engr. Ramirez has always been supportive of BZ Alpha Navigation since Mr. Simon Varias presented to them their program from cadetship until the time that the crew retires.

He also bolstered the attendees’ hope towards having stable employment by taking pride of the expected high demands in maritime industry for Filipino seafarers as BZ Alpha is set to open the doors of its 700 vessels by 2017.

            In an interview, BZ Alpha Navigation Director Simon Varias said their company is confident that their 2017 vision of offering a number of jobs to Filipino seafarers is feasible.

This is to answer the qualms of some with regard to their pronouncements about the expected increased demands for Filipino seafarers in the global market amid the recent decrease in the number of deployed Filipino seafarers last 2014.

“We have 700 vessels. We are not looking for them. We already have them,” Varias quipped. “Whoever questions that is only jealous.”

Confidence to Filipinos

            When asked why Alpha Navigation decided to establish a branch in the Philippines instead in other neighboring countries, Varias said his 25 years of stay in the Philippines gave him the validation that Filipino seafarers are indeed world-class workers, adding that their undisputed hard work and dedication for the maritime industry is what sets them apart from the rest of the world.

He also credited the continuously improving maritime institutions in the country responsible at honing Filipino seafarers. “There are a lot of centers here in the Philippines that offer quality reviews and trainings for seafarers as well as academic institutions that prepare them to reach their maximum potentials and be at par with the global standards.”

The director of BZ Alpha also divulged the 73 percent possibility that these training centers will be included in the white list, crediting the incalculable efforts of concerned groups and individuals in making sure that continued local maritime excellence transpires.

BZ Alpha posted on facebook on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, an announcement encouraging interested applicants to apply for the following posts:

Chief Engineer 8,200USD ++ Age Limit 60 years old

2nd Engineer 6,600USD ++ Age Limit 55 years old

2nd Officer 4,500USD ++ Age Limit 50 years old

3rd Officer 3,100USD ++ Age Limit 37 years old

Oiler 1,350USD ++ Age Limit 45 years old

AB 1,350USD ++ Age Limit 45 years old

Source: Tinig ng Marino

Authorities in the Philippines have arrested the alleged leader of a gang of pirates who hijacked the tanker Rehobot earlier this year.

Indonesian and Filipino police cooperated in apprehending the alleged pirate leader, Danilo Sorote Wangkanusa. On the morning of November 11, when they served a warrant at Mr. Wangkanusa’s rental house in Davao City, Mindanao, he attempted to escape by leaping from a second story window. Authorities captured him shortly thereafter.

A spokesperson for the police said that Mr. Wangkanusa had been in hiding in Davao City since February.

Once Mr. Wangkanusa’s papers are processed, authorities say he will be deported to Indonesia to face trial, as the alleged offense occurred in Indonesian waters. He was one of Indonesia’s most wanted fugitives. Police officials said that they are checking his background to determine whether he has any connection to terrorist groups.

A group of half a dozen pirates hijacked the Rehobot on January 28. Initial reports said that eight masked men with knives had boarded the Rehobot from a wooden boat, and forced her crew of 14 onto a lifeboat.

Four individuals accused of being involved in the attack were arrrested in Indonesia in February.

On February 19, the tanker was found abandoned, aground on a mud bottom near Davao City, about 400 nautical miles from the area where the vessel was reportedly captured.

The vessel had 1,100 tons of diesel on board before the hijacking, and authorities believe that the fuel was transferred to another ship before the Rehobot was abandoned.

Media reports indicate that there were no calls for ransom of crew or claims of responsibility by any organization.

Coast Guard authorities on Mindanao are in discussions with the Indonesian consul and with a private salvage firm about the disposition of the Rehobot.

The vessel has not been recovered by its owner or its insurer, and authorities report that residents nearby have been involved in looting the vessel since its abandonment. If it is not claimed, it will likely be scrapped or sold.

“Though the vessel is free from oil spill, I will have to talk again with the Indonesian consul and [salvage firm] Harbor Star for the scrapping of the vessel,” Commodore Joselito F. dela Cruz of the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Southeast Asian waters have long been notorious for piracy, and 2015 has been no exception. The ICC’s International Maritime Bureau reported an average of one pirate attack every two weeks in Southeast Asia in the first half of the year.

Source: Maritime Executive