The Philippines | Ports and Shipping News

[hakz2007]

News, photos and discussions regarding the ports and shipping industry in the Philippines

[hakz2007]

Aboitiz Equity sets major expansion thrust

ABOITIZ Equity Ventures (AEV) posted a 29-percent increase in consolidated revenues in 2009 to P46 billion, with significant growths recorded in the power, banking, food and transportation businesses amid a recovering global economy.

President and chief executive Erramon Aboitiz said the company is further expanding in 2010 with the company’s plan to gain full ownership of thrift bank subsidiary City Savings Bank (CSB), expand its sea vessel fleet the construction of more food manufacturing capabilities as well as further investments into the ever-growing power business.

“The worst seems to be behind us, with green shoots of economic activity sprouting. The Philippines, resilient as ever, managed to parry the economic blows from outside our shores with overseas worker remittances and the services sector balancing the threats of a recession as earnings from our export sector declined,” Aboitiz said during AEV’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Monday in Cebu.

The company’s earnings in 2009 reached P15.6 billion, 82-percent higher compared with the previous year.

The growth continued into the first three months of 2010, as AEV reported a P6.2-billion net income, 341-percent higher than the same period in 2009. The growth was fueled by the spectacular performance of its power assets, contributing 88 percent of the growth for P5.7 billion and the banking group which pitched in P379 million.

The company is also set to roll out a P2.5-billion six-year, fixed-rate notes facility this year to finance this expansion move, particularly the City Savings Bank investment.

AEV senior vice president and chief financial officer Stephen Paradies said the bulk of the proceeds of bond issue will be used to buy out partners in the bank, which could amount to P1.37 billion. The rest will fund other expansion projects of the company, he said. In 2009, CSB turned in P96 million 163-percent higher than in 2008 with strong demands for small loans.

The company also took advantage of lower vessel prices in the world market, acquiring two 1,000-twenty foot equivalent unit container ships for its logistics operations, two fast passenger vessels for SuperCat and one vessel for CebuFerries. Two more ships will be added this year to the SuperFerry fleet.

Aboitiz said the vessel acquisitions were made to replace older vessels and expand capacity of the logistics business which had been consistently showing good returns.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.p...nies&Itemid=59

[hakz2007]

Aboitiz Transport to buy more ships from proceeds of P2-B notes flotation

ABOITIZ Transport System Corp. (ATS) said it will acquire more vessels in the coming months after its return to the debt market.

ATS said that it already floated a five-year P2 billion denominated fixed rate corporate notes, proceeds of which will be used to acquire more vessels this year.

SB Capital Investment and BPI Capital Corp. are the joint lead managers for the said float, said Lilian Cariaso, ATS executive vice president and chief finance and resource officer.

Cariaso did not mention how many vessels the company will acquire, but part of the proceeds will also go for “working capital purposes.”

ATS has sold ships at peak prices beginning 2006, but since then they have been acquiring ships.

For the past two years, ATS has purchased a total of 10 vessels-- four fast crafts, two for its Cebuferry brand, two freighters, and two for SuperFerry brand--at reasonable prices.

“This has allowed us to provide quality solutions to our customers at a much lower operating cost. We will start seeing the result of these more efficient vessels once we have them fully operational.” Cariaso said.

The return of ATS to the debt market reflects the trust of the financial markets in the company’s ability to continue to be a major player in the shipping industry, she said.

Aboitiz said in its earlier disclosure that it had purchased two roll-on/roll-off-passenger vessels, currently named MV Sunflower Kogane from the Diamond Ferry Co. Ltd and MV Sunflower Nishiki from Kansai Kisen Kaisha. Both are Japanese firms based in Oita and in Osaka, respectively.

ATSC said it bought the vessels at $7.5 million each. It has a total capacity of loading 400-twenty foot equivalent units and can carry 2,000 passengers each.

“Aiming toward operational excellence, the vessel purchase is intended to modernize its current fleet to achieve greater efficiencies. These vessels are also expected to provide additional options for SuperFerry passengers traveling during this coming summer season and better support the growing value-added business of 2GO,” Aboitiz said in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The two vessels, weighed about 9,700 gross tons each, will arrive in the country by next month.

The vessels are seen to replace MV Superferry 9, which sunk off Zamboanga Peninsula in September last year.

The country’s largest shipping firm said that it booked a net loss of P141.9 million during the first three months of the year after a third of its passenger fleet capacity and almost a fifth of its freight capacity were not available for the period as a result of the drydocking of the vessels.

“These affected our volumes since we were not able to give our customers the much needed frequency and speed and hindered our earning capacity,” Aboitiz said in its disclosure.

Aboitiz said that during the second half of the year, its two new ships will commence operation, and only by this time that they can operate at full capacity.

By end of the year, its passenger capacity will be higher by 82 percent and freight capacity to be increased by 46 percent.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.p...ions&Itemid=71

ATI reports net income of P324.9M for Q1

MANILA, May 23 (PNA) - Port operator Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI) reported that its net income for the first three months of the year amounted to P324.9 million, up by 43.5 percent from last year's P226.5 million.

ATI attributed its improved financial standing to the strong performance of its container and non-containerized businesses.

Total revenues grew 24.9 percent to P1.167 billion from P934.4 million.

Revenues from port operations rose 34.3 percent to P1.074 billion from P800.5 million last year.

Lower volumes and unfavorable foreign exchange rates, on the other hand, dragged down revenues from non-port operations by 31 percent to P92.5 million from P134 million.

Revenues from international container operations in Manila's South Harbor were up 28.2 percent and non-container by 143.5 percent.

Earnings from Port of Batangas Phase I operations were also higher by 72.5 percent and from South Harbor domestic terminal operations by 3.2 percent.

Cost and expenses for the period in review grew 21.7 percent to P698.3 million from P573.9 million.

Labor costs inched up 13.5 percent to P217 million this year from P191.2 million last year.

ATI's first-quarter equipment running cost of P111 million was higher by 21 percent due to increased prices of fuel and lubricants, equipment repairs and maintenance in support of operational requirements.

Rentals of P39.8 million rose 36 percent due to volume and commodity-related equipment rentals.

Other expenses totaled P160.6 million, 84.5 percent higher than the P87 million posted in the same period last year due mainly to increases in general transport expenses, professional fees, claims, travel, brokerage and other processing costs and management fees.

Earnings before tax of P460.2 million were 45.4 percent more than the P316.5 million in the same period last year.(PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=277229

[hakz2007]

MCT expects 10% growth this year

MANILA, May 23 (PNA) - The Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) has projected a 10-percent cargo growth following the peaceful and generally incident-free May 10 elections

“We are anticipating that the market will shoot up in the second semester of the year after a new President is sworn into office,” it stressed.

In 2009, MCT handled 118,664 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), 10 percent higher than the 109,028 TEUs recorded a year earlier and five higher than forecast.

MCT added that economic activities in the country are starting to stabilize.

It expects strong volume from the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Southeast Asia.

Ongoing private-public sector initiatives in the East Asean Growth Area are also seen to bring in more agricultural trade for MCT with Brunei and North Sulawesi shippers.

In addition, the climbing demand in export shipments from local manufacturing and handicraft firms will help boost volumes in the port.

The terminal already handles a steady stream of import products including construction materials, wood moldings, knock-down houses, furniture, handicraft, charcoal, virgin coconut oil, essential oils, tuna, yellow corn and copra.

Currently, five international carriers call at the port –APL, Maersk Line, Regional Container Lines, Pacific Eagle Lines and Mariana Express.

Local carriers include MCC Transport, Lorenzo Shipping Lines and NMC Container Lines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=277230

[hakz2007]

Attack at fear harbor

SPARKS ARE FLYING BACK AND forth between two groups over the North Harbor, Manila’s premier shipping port.

How strategic is this port, you may ask? Well, it accounts for about 70 percent of the country’s domestic trade shipping volume.

At the receiving end of the attack is MNHPI, or Manila North Harbor Point, a joint venture between the groups of Reghis Romero (Harbour Centre) and Manuel Pangilinan (PLDT).

The group has a contract with the government to operate North Harbor, offering to invest P14 billion in the port.

But MNHPI is up against a small group of shipping lines—the Philippine Liner and Shipping Association of the Philippines, or PLSA.

From what I gathered, this small group has mounted a media campaign against MNHPI, claiming that all sorts of bad things are happening at the port.

Only seven of the 44 shipping lines operating at North Harbor are members of PLSA. Out of those seven, only three shipping companies are actually part of the group badmouthing MNHPI.

The small gang is composed of Negros Navigation, which incidentally received an order from a court to undergo rehabilitation, and Sulpicio Lines, which owned the MV Princess of the Stars that capsized near Romblon about two years ago, and the MV Doña Paz that sank in 1998 in what the International Maritime Organization considered as the biggest marine tragedy.

The fight of the small group in PLSA is another story. But the three shipping firms claimed in news reports that MNHPI failed to provide cargo-handling equipment.

To answer the group, MNHPI cited the delivery of more than 150 pieces of heavy and medium-sized equipment to the port, and announced that it had complied with all the requirements set by the PPA, or Philippine Ports Authority, under the operating contract.

Reports said that PPA itself validated the delivery of the new equipment, as a precondition to MNHPI’s takeover of the port last month.

But then the small group in the small PLSA responded that, sure, MNHPI delivered the equipment, but they did not conform to standards set by the PPA.

So what was it really?

Nobody said anything about the PPA making a list of new equipment needed at the port, including those for cargo handling. In fact, PPA delayed the turnover of the facility to MNHPI until the operator complied with the agency’s requirements.

Frankly, this whole fight is disturbing to me.

Years and years of neglect have turned North Harbor into a pathetic port, with dilapidated facilities and all, not to mention the high incidence of crime.

To the guys down here in my barangay (village), for instance, it is common knowledge that North Harbor is not a place a peace-loving fellow will want to visit. It is home to the Buriki Gang and such elements. And they are not a gentle lot. North Harbor, to us, is a place to be feared.

I just hope that the modernization program for the domestic port goes on as planned, despite the media campaign orchestrated by the small group in the small PLSA.

Does this group want to keep the port in its terrible shape? Heaven help us!

* * *

SMUGGLING is on top of a business group’s list for the 100-day agenda of the incoming Aquino administration.

From what I gathered, a number of business groups joined PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) president Francis Chua in formulating the business sector’s wish list for President-elect Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Smuggling is said to have become a big-time “protection” racket under this cute administration.

For instance, local flour milling companies have been complaining about what they called “rampant” smuggling of bad flour from Turkey.

The Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL) said that importers of Turkish flour set value at only $30 a metric ton, as against the real value of $300 per.

Based on statistics compiled by PAFMIL, the country imported some 86,000 MT of flour from Turkey last year. The association said that more than 19,000 metric tons of the total importation were undervalued.

Thus, the government failed to collect around P16.9 million in duties and taxes from last year’s importation alone.

And the bleeding continues.

PAFMIL reported that some 6,000 MT of imported Turkish flour were undervalued in the first two months of the year.

To top it all, PAFMIL could only compile the statistics on importation declared as flour, which has a seven percent duty and 12 percent VAT.

The more damaging modus operandi is called “misdeclaration” where the smugglers claim something to be what it is not.

They simply declare “flour” as “soybean meal” and—presto—they pay nothing for the shipment. No import duties! No VAT!

Okay, so maybe they pay a little for protection. PAFMIL has been saying that smugglers were getting help from certain officials of the Bureau of Customs.

Soon-to-be-President Noynoy Aquino III has time and again told business groups that his administration would plug leakages in the collection of government revenues.

Hopefully.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/c...at-fear-harbor

[hakz2007]

PCG launches 'Oplan Kahandaan' to promote safe maritime travel

MANILA, May 28 (PNA) -- With the anticipated influx of maritime travelers due to the coming school opening in June, seaports and passenger vessels are expected to be crowded or to reach full-passenger capacity levels.

Noting that coinciding with the school opening is the onset of the rainy and typhoon season, Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, has ordered the launching of "Oplan Kahandaan" and issued safety tips to promote safe maritime travel.

The PCG, as a major component in the administration of maritime safety, search and rescue, environmental protection, law enforcement, and security enforcement, aggressively pursues duly-established prevention and response measures to further promote safety of life and property at sea.

The PCG’s overall objective in maritime safety is to significantly minimize, if not totally prevent maritime accidents or incidents from happening.

Tamayo placed all PCG units on heightened alert and further directed all the 10 Coast Guard Districts around the country to undertake the following:

1)Ensure the strict observance/adherence to the following safety and security measures by shipowners, operators, masters, and other cognizant agencies:

--Safe and orderly conduct of embarkation of passengers and loading of cargo strictly within the vessel’s authorized capacity. Advise passengers to board the vessel earlier, at least two hours prior departure and providing ample cutoff time for inspection by PCG boarding teams;

--Complete and good operating condition of life-saving appliances, communications, and firefighting equipment on board;

--Proper cargo stowage, and ship stability and trim;

--Adequate and proper cargo lashing on board vessels;

--Good operating condition of vessels’ main and auxiliary machineries/engines;

--Strict security screening of passengers, and their hand carry/check-in baggages and cargo. Ensure that passengers are not allowed to carry deadly weapons, including unauthorized firearms, and other prohibited items;

--Availability of periodic and latest weather forecasts from PAGASA, and strict observance and compliance with the PCG-issued Guidelines on Movement of Vessels During Heavy Weather (HPCG MC 01-09 dated 05 February 2009);

--Prompt reporting to the PCG of maritime incidents or imminent danger to include engine breakdowns or derangements at sea, among others.

2)Coast Guard Districts under “PCG Oplan Kahandaan” shall likewise ensure the strict implementation of the following:

--Activation of passenger/commuter assistance “Help Desks” in strategic ports in respective areas of jurisdiction in coordination with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders;

--Strict and proper conduct of Mandatory Pre-Departure Inspection (MPDI) of vessels by PCG boarding teams;

--Deployment of additional personnel and other assets in busier ports with high influx of passengers;

--Close monitoring, reporting and coordination of maritime incidents using VSAT, satellite phones, VHF and HF radios by respective Command Centers and through 24/7 manning/guarding of respective command centers;

--Intensified seaborne patrol and campaign against “colorum” vessels which may take advantage of the situation;

--High state of preparedness/readiness of respective Deployable Response Teams (DRTs), including SOG divers/ rescue swimmers, K9s, medical teams, oil spill response teams, sea marshals, and Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, Search and Rescue (SAR) surface, air and underwater assets, and other responding teams/units for immediate dispatch/deployment for prompt assistance during maritime incidents, as well as during the occurrence of floods and other natural calamities;

--Active participation of local PCG Auxiliary units, and other vessels in the vicinity or close to vessels in distress, or in the ports, and organization of rescue volunteers/associations from among local motorboat owners/operators which could help or be tapped to assist during maritime incidents and during the occurrence of flood in affected areas within respective areas of responsibility;

--Undertake pro-active measures by organizing dialogues, meetings, trainings or combined exercises with shipping and boat operators, coastal communities, LGUs, NGOs, etc. to promote safety and security awareness and the typhoon doctrine.

3)The PCG also appeals and advises the riding public on the following:

--To be extra vigilant against crew and ships committing blatant violations of maritime safety rules and regulations such as those who deliberately carry passengers in excess of their authorized capacity, those lacking in life-saving appliances, and/or those operating “colorum” vessels, and to report such violations to PCG Hot text 0917PCGDOTC (09177243682);

--Not to patronize “colorum” boats since one of the reasons why they fail to be documented is the fact that they cannot pass the minimum safety requirements set by ther Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for their intended utilization. In most cases, the design or maintenance condition of these boats are unseaworthy and most likely lack the necessary life saving appliances on board the said boats or if they have, these are not type-approved;

--To be aware of regular weather updates, for them to promptly plan and schedule their trips so as to avoid being stranded in cases where passenger or RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) ships and boats will not be allowed to sail during inclement weather condition. (PNA)

http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/pub...e_travel.shtml

[hakz2007]

ATI to provide P580M in dividends

MANILA, May 31 (PNA) - Port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) announced that it will provide around P580 million as dividends to its stockholders by mid-June this year.

ATI, operator and developer of Manila South Harbor and several key ports in the country, made this announcement to its shareholders following a record net income of P1.16 billion in 2009.

The P580 million in cash dividends is equivalent to P0.29 per share. It will be payable to all stockholders of record as May 21 on June 17.

High dividends were driven by ATI's solid performance last year despite a sluggish economic environment.

ATI capped year 2009 with strong revenues amounting to P4.21 billion, which is 6.4 percent higher than 2008.

This led to an all-time high net income of P1.16 billion, or 36.6 percent higher compared to 2008 figures.

The company's strong financial performance was boosted by higher port and non-port operations earnings, lower expenses and prudent cost-management measures.

"Despite the difficulties, ATI was able to post yet another strong and productive year in 2009 as we outperformed expectations, broadened our financial bottom-line and further secured our position of growth in the future," ATI chairman Kun Wah Wong said.

"The financial strength of our diverse port business places us in an advantageous position to take charge of the opportunities and withstand the challenges that come our way," he added.

During the same meeting, the members of the 10-man ATI board of directors were elected. Reelected as directors were: Kun Wah Wong, Eusebio Tanco, Suhail Al Banna, Glen Hilton, Kwok Leung Law, Architect Felino Palafox Jr., Atty. Monico Jacob and Arsenio Tanco.

Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. were elected as independent directors of the company.

In an earlier meeting, the board also appointed Washington Sycip as senior adviser to the ATI board. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=278741

[hakz2007]

Metro Pacific to sell out of North Harbor project

MANILA, Philippines – The group of business executive Manuel V. Pangilinan is in talks to sell out of the North Harbor port project to its joint venture partner, the Romero family, following the businessman’s inability to gain a controlling stake in the venture.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the infrastructure arm of the Pangilinan-led First Pacific Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, owns 35 percent of the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc., which holds the 25-year concession to develop, manage, operate and maintain Manila’s North Harbor port.

It wants to take over majority control but the Romero family does not want to dilute its 65 percent controlling interest.

"That's good for the business of Metro if it controls North Harbor. If we can't achieve that, it's best for us to withdraw from the business. It's really quite simple. They could buy us out," Pangilinan told reporters Thursday night on the sidelines of the corporate governance awarding ceremonies of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Asked whether his group could sell the stake at a good price, Pangilinan said: "That's the subject of discussions."

He said such discussions have begun.

If it sells out of North Harbor, he said, MPIC would not be looking at any new port project in the immediate future.

"We would like to focus on what we have," he said.

The Romero family, for its part, is planning to form a new holding company for all of the group’s port assets. The company, likely to be called Harbour Centre Holdings Inc., is targeted for initial public offering and listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange by the end of the year.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/b...Harbor-project

[hakz2007]

Ship firms want MVP to control North Harbor

MANILA, Philippines—Local shipping firms have thrown their support behind the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan for control of the company operating Manila’s North Harbor.

The Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) said that if Pangilinan’s group were to take control of North Harbor, it would lead to the adoption of “world-class” management standards needed to improve port operations.

Pangilinan chairs infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which has interests in other heavy industries like toll roads, power distribution and telecommunications.

MPIC currently holds a 35-percent stake in Manila North Harbour Port Terminal Inc. (MNHPI), the company that holds the 25-year contract to operate the dilapidated port.

MPIC’s partner, Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) of Reghis Romero II, has a 65-percent stake in MNHPI.

The joint venture won the contract to modernize the port late last year. HCPTI’s presence satisfied the government’s technical expertise requirement, while MPIC’s investment gave the joint venture the financial muscle needed to win the contract.

Earlier this week, Pangilinan said MPIC was currently in talks to gain a majority stake in MNHPI. If it fails to take control of the firm, MPIC may quit the project, Pangilinan said.

“We would like to express our grave concern about this turn of events,” PLSA said in a letter to the Philippine Ports Authority sent last Thursday.

“The PLSA believes that allowing MPIC to have a majority stake in MNHPI will give MPIC the ability to reorganize MNHPI and have a professional management team run the port,” the group said in a statement.

It stressed that, despite its initial reservation to PPA’s one-bidder award to the joint venture, “PLSA found comfort in the fact that MPIC, a company with track record in world class management standards, would be a financial and important shareholder that would ensure that the port would be run professionally, the way it runs its other businesses.”

The members of PLSA are: Negros Navigation Co., Phil. Span Asia Corp., Gothong Southern Shipping Lines Inc., Lorenzo Shipping Corp., Moreta Shipping Lines Inc., NMC Container Lines Inc., Oceanic Container Lines Inc. and Solid Shipping Lines Inc.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/t...l-North-Harbor

[hakz2007]

PPA reports net income of P1.788B for 2009

MANILA, June 6 (PNA) - The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that it has posted a net income of P1.788 billion for 2009, or 264.17 percent higher than the P1.089 billion netted in 2008.

It also disclosed that gross revenue for the full year 2009 reached P7.129 billion, up 7.6 percent or about P500 million from the previous year.

The port regulator also reported that its port revenues hit the P6.969 billion or P458.56 million higher than the P6.510 billion recorded in 2008.

The PPA also said its fund management income soared by 38.96 percent from P115 million in 2008 to P159 million in 2009.

It said the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. contributed 36 percent or P2.526 billion to its total revenues.

Other revenue sources with significant contribution were wharfage fees amounting to P1.394 billion (20 percent); arrastre/stevedoring, P1.230 billion (17 percent); vessel charges, P1.030 billion (14 percent); other sources, P562 million (eight percent); and pilotage/storage fees, P223.84 million (three percent).

Total expenses last year reached P5.029 billion, 34.32 percent less than the P7.657 billion registered in 2008.

Operating expenses for 2009 totaled P4.823 billion, an increase of P813 million than those in 2008. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=279921

ATS sees bright prospects for 2010

MANILA, June 6 (PNA) - Ranking officials of Aboitiz Transport System (ATS), the country's largest shipping company, have expressed confidence that 2010 will be a good year for the company as the world economy continues to recover from the ill-effects of the global financial crisis.

ATS chairman Jon Ramon Aboitiz said the company's shipping business, most especially its cargo side, has posted impressive growth in the first months of the year.

“Cargo has grown about 10 percent in the first quarter and we expect such growth to continue for the whole year," Aboitiz stressed.

He also said that he is hopeful that the growth will also spread to the company's shipbuilding and ship management ventures, including that with MCC Transport, a joint venture with Maersk Line.

ATS is looking at increasing market share of MCC Transport in domestic shipping to more than 10 percent this year.

“There is continuing resilience in the Philippine economy based on the figures released by government on the country’s GDP growth and our optimism is based on that,” Aboitiz pointed out.

The national government earlier said the country's gross domestic production (GDP) hit the seven percent in the first quarter of the year vis-à-vis the same period last year.

“However, despite the pretty good performance of almost all our business ventures, we will continue to monitor the current situation and be prudent in our other moves considering the volatility of fuel prices,” the ATS chairman further said.

Earlier, ATS reported a 10-percent increase in consolidated revenues for the first three months of the year to P3.1 billion or P286 million higher than the P2.9 billion posted in the same period last year, thanks to strong international ship chartering and supply chain management solutions businesses. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=279922

[hakz2007]

Hanjin Subic bags US$ 500-M ship deal with Australian firm

MANILA, June 16 (PNA) -- Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard in Subic Bay, Philippines, has recently won a US$ 500-million bulk carrier contract with Anglo-Australia's Rio Tinto.

The orders will cover eight 205,000 dead-weight tons (DWTs) ships. These bulk carriers are around 300 meters long and 50 meters wide and will have a service speed of 15 knots.

Delivery of the first unit is scheduled for the second half of 2012 and all eight will be completed by 2013.

The Subic facility is now capable of building offshore plants as well as very large carriers which are too large for the conventional Yeongdo yard to handle.

It measures 2.6 million square meters and is 10 times larger than Hanjin's Yeongdo Dockyard in South Korea.

“We are going to develop the highly-efficient Subic Shipyard into the world’s leading shipbuilding site and Yeongdo Dockyard into a strategic shipbuilding base for high-technology carriers and offshore supply vessels through facility modernization,” Hanjin said in a statement.

The Subic shipyard has been equipped with a 370 meter- long Dock 5, the 550 meter-long and 135 meter-wide Dock 6 which is claimed to be the largest of its kind, four kilometer-long quay facility, four ultra-large cranes and over 1,000 meter-long automated assembly lines.

The company has a full order book for the next three years.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...d=3&rid=281805

[hakz2007]

PCG institutes proactive measures to prevent maritime accidents

MANILA, June 21 (PNA) -- Two years after the tragic "MV Princess of the Stars" sinking off Romblon province, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has instituted more proactive measures to minimize, if not totally prevent, maritime accidents.

It can be recalled that on June 21, 2008, the Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) flagship passenger Ro-Ro (roll off-roll on) vessel M/V Princess of the Stars capsized at the vicinity of Sitio Cabitangan, Barangay Taclobo, Sibuyan Island, Romblon during the onslaught of typhoon Frank.

The ill-fated vessel was en route to Cebu City from Manila when the accident happened. The disaster served as an "eye-opener" for those who are in the forefront of promoting safety of life and property at sea.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said the sea mishap stimulated the entire maritime industry to strengthen its efforts and adopt measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.

For the PCG, the lessons learned from the M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy have become the driving force for the PCG and other cognizant agencies to set up more proactive measures and strengthen prevention as well as response efforts within their respective mandates to promote maritime safety.

In April 2010, salvors successfully refloated and towed the shipwreck approximately 1.6 kilometers from its original position. The vessel originally capsized in some 200 feet of water approximately 1.85 kilometers from the shoreline of Sitio Cabitangan, Barangay Taclobo, Sibuyan Island.

The shipwreck has already been towed or moved to only 250 meters from the shore. Further, the hull and superstructure of the vessel had already been cut and separated, making it more manageable for PCG and the salvors' divers to scour the interior compartments of the shipwreck for possible human remains that may still be trapped inside the vessel.

The wreck is well within reach of the divers at a depth of approximately 70 feet. Since then, efforts were directed towards the wreck removal, including the procedures to be undertaken to make the hull of the vessel upright.

Recently, however, the ship’s hull had to be brought down to the seabed for safety reasons, particularly to prevent the shipwreck from breaking loose and running aground sensitive areas or to be adrift and pose hazard to navigation.

The salvors, according to Tamayo, were forced to stop the refloating and uprighting of the ship’s hull in view of the onset of the southwest monsoon and typhoon season which have already affected the sea condition in the area. However, other operations such as the retrieval of cargoes and debris continue as weather permits.

In reference to the Salvage Report dated June 18, 2010 submitted by Royal Jessan Petromin Resources Inc., as confirmed by the PCG On-Scene commander, the joint PCG and salvors’ divers were able to complete 100 percent the underwater scouring of all interior spaces of the wreck where human remains might still be possibly found.

The PCG has thus recommended to the Task Force Princess of the Stars (TFPOTS) the termination of the underwater human remains retrieval operations.

From Feb. 1, 2010 to June 18, 2010, the human remains retrieval operations yielded 70 human remains which were turned over to Public Attorney's Office (PAO) for forensic evaluations and tests.

http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2...ccidents.shtml

[hakz2007]

LSC vows more upgrades for cargo fleet

MANILA, June 21 (PNA) - Officials of cargo carrier Lorenzo Shipping Corporation (LSC) have vowed to further upgrade its cargo fleet this year.

LSC chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho said their modernization program is well on track with the recent acquisition of a ship capable of carrying 799 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

“Fleet renewal and upgrading [will] continue to be a major goal of LSC,” she stressed.

Aside from new vessels, Magsaysay-Ho added that LSC has started to acquire computer programs that will enhance the company's operational efficiency.

“In a nutshell, SAP [an enterprise software provider] will help us improve our collections through faster billing, improve decision-making and problem-solving processes by improving accounting and management activities,” she pointed out.

The company also purchased a liner software that will become its front office application.

Both software systems are expected to enhance the current systems of the company to improve slot cost computation, voyage revenue, cost reporting, cargo stowage, among others.

LSC is rolling out its systems after it slowly expands its operations out of Manila.

In April, the company inaugurated its new container yard space at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

“The Tagoloan-Cagayan de Oro Corridor is one of our strategic ports. This new office will enable our people to serve our customers and more pleasant environment,” Magsaysay-Ho pointed out.

LSC’s first-quarter net income jumped by 34 percent to P28.17 million from the previous year’s P21.04 million.

The company has a lower revenues of P377 million for the period compared from last year’s P379.6 million.

Its operating expenses slightly rose by P626,487 or just 0.2 percent higher from the same period last year, as a result of high fuel cost and amortization of dry-docking charges. (PNA)

http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2...go_fleet.shtml

[hakz2007]

JUSTICE DEPT FILES CRIMINAL RAPS AGAINST OWNER OF SUNKEN SHIP

MANILA, June 21 (NNN-PNA) -- There are no more legal impediments against the filing of criminal charges against an official of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. (SLI), the owner of the sunken "M/V Princess of the Stars".

This, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday dismissed the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by the SLI.

On March 22, 2010, the DOJ dismissed, due to lack of merit, the petition for review filed by SLI.

In a two-page resolution, the DOJ also ordered the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, serious physical injuries and damage to properties against Edgar Go, one of the owners and vice president for operation of SLI before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).

The DOJ said that the complainants were able to categorically and positively assert the facts that led to the filing of the case against respondent Edgar Go.

In a related development, of the 12 skeletal remains in the custody of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Forensic Team, three of these were turned over to their respective families.

The PAO is an attached agency of the DOJ.

The victims were identified as Jacquelin Padua, Evalina Galamay and Marelen Traballo.

Dr. Erwin Erfe, head of the PAO Forensic Team, said that the eight other identified victims were Ailene Quesada, John Leslie Blanco, Hermenegildo Embana, Mark Leguin Diaz, Rogelio Quinaondan, Joselito Aballe, Shirley Lauron and Ricardo Hilario, Jr.

Erfe said that until Monday, the families of the eight identified victims, who may be in Cebu, have not yet contacted them.

The second anniversary of the sinking of "M/V Princess of the Stars" was observed on Monday.

The sea mishap claimed the lives of some 800 passengers and crew of the ill-fated ship at the height of typhoon "Frank" on June 21, 2008 off the waters of San Fernando town, Sibuyan island, Romblon province.

http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=124424

[hakz2007]

Vessel plows through protected marine reserve; destroys 100 m2 of coral reefs

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 22 (PNA) -- About 100 square meters of coral formations in the primary tourist dive destination town of Dauin in Negros Oriental have been severely damaged after a cargo vessel in distress plowed right through the protected marine reserve in Maayong Tubig of that town last Thursday.

Dauin Mayor Rodrigo Alanano said on Tuesday that the extent of the damage could not be ascertained yet pending further investigation but he vowed to file a complaint against Capt. Gaudencio Morales, Jr., ship master of the M/V Lorcon Davao, and the Lorenzo Shipping Lines, which owns the vessel.

An incident report at the Philippine Coast Guard in Dumaguete quoted Morales as saying that the cargo vessel was en route to the DUCOMI port in Bacong, a town adjacent to Dauin, when sudden strong gust winds and heavy rains resulted in zero visibility.

The cargo ship was about 50 meters from the shoreline of Maayong Tubig, where many beach resorts and dive shops are located, and had already slowed down its engine in preparation for docking around 9 p.m., said PO1 Revillo Palarpalar, Chief Master at Arms of the Coast Guard here.

Witnesses said they noticed the ship weaving its way inland, prompting them to grab flashlights and spotlights to signal to the vessel to stop as it was entering the protected fish sanctuary.

Some residents said they feared the vessel would run aground.

Morales claimed that the vessel’s engine was shut down and they had drifted southwest in the direction of Apo Island, however, witnesses said the M/V Lorcon Davao had allegedly remained in the marine sanctuary for about 30 minutes before it departed.

At least 40 floating marker buoys in the protected marine reserve were also damaged.

The Coast Guard report said that Morales also denied that the ship had dropped anchor at the said area, which he did not know was a protected marine sanctuary.

Bigs Eggert, manager of the Atlantis Resort, said that an initial inspection by divers in the area, properly documented with photographs and video clips, said coral formations have been seriously affected.

A table coral of about five square meters was totally uprooted and overturned, she said.

She said the marine reserve in that area is one of the province’s richest fish sanctuaries frequently visited by foreign tourists for diving and snorkeling expeditions.

The Coast Guard granted clearance to the M/V Lorcon Davao, a cargo vessel of about 4,962 gross tonnage to depart the DUCOMI pier around 4 p.m. of Friday.

Palarpalar said the Coast Guard did not have enough grounds to hold the cargo vessel, however, the local government of Dauin had been advised to file a marine protest if warranted.

Eggert said resort owners and dive shop operators in Dauin were worried about the impact of the damaged corals and fish sanctuary in Maayong Tubig, considering that it would take years to rehabilitate the coral reefs.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=8&rid=283169

[hakz2007]

PGMA inaugurates P368-M RORO port in Ubay, Bohol on Monday

UBAY, BOHOL, June 27 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will inaugurate on Monday, June 28, the P368-million Ubay port here that connects the province of Bohol with the country's three major islands by land, sea and air.

The Ubay port falls under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program.

Complementing the existing sea port and airport in Tagbilaran City, the new port serves as Bohol’s gateway to Cebu, Leyte and Samar in the Visayas onwards to Luzon via the Matnog, Sorsogon land route and to Mindanao via Southern Leyte and Lipata, Surigao del Norte.

Phase I of the project is the back-up area composed of R.C. Pier, RORO Ramp, dredging and disposal work, mooring and fendering system and port lighting system. The project started on March 20, 2008 and was completed on March 9, 2010.

Phase II is an expansion project contracted at P130.89 million involving the reclamation of a 1-hectare back-up area.

Upon arrival at the inaugural site, the President will unveil the marker of the Ubay port; followed by welcome remarks by outgoing Gov. Erico Aumentado, a short message by Bohol 2nd District Rep. Roberto Cajes and a project briefing by Philippine Ports Authority district manager Alex Cruz.

At the Tagbilaran airport, the Chief Executive will be welcomed by Gov. Aumentado; Tagbilaran City mayor Dan Lim; outgoing 1st Dist Rep. Edgar Chatto (also incoming provincial governor); 3rd Dist. Rep. Adam Relson Jala; Presidential Adviser for Visayas Felix Guanzon; Communication Central Commander Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva; PNP 7 regional director Chief Supt. Lani-o Nerez; and Tagbilaran City officer-in-charge airport manager Edgar Solis.

At the inaugural site, the President will be met by 2nd Dist. Rep. Roberto Cajes, Ubay mayor Eutiquio Bernales, Philippine Ports Authority district manager Alex Cruz and Ubay Port Terminal supervisor Rodrigo Ampo.

Aumentado will take his oath before the President as the new representative of 2nd congressional district of Bohol and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap as 3rd congressional district representative.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=284109

[hakz2007]

Vessels barred from passing close to Quirino Grandstand during Aquino-Binay inauguration

MANILA, June 28 (PNA)--Vessels are prohibited from traversing at the back of the Quirino Grandstand on June 30 in time for the inauguration of President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.

President-elect Aquino and vice president-elect Jejomar Binay would be sworn in as the two top leaders of the country on Wednesday at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park in Manila.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said the PCG had already issued notice to mariners (Notam) to all shipping lines, informing them that their vessels are prohibited from traversing behind the Quirino Grandstand area on June 30 as part of the security measures.

Commander Allan dela Vega, PCG-Maritime Safety Office chief, said the vessels are barred from passing close to the Quirino Grandstand.

“Since last week, Notam have been sent out to shipping lines to inform them that their vessels are barred from entering the 1.5-kilometer radius restriction zone from the back of the Quirino Grandstand, from the shoreline extending seaward,” said Commander Dela Vega.

The restriction will be implemented from 7 a.m. of June 30 until the time President Aquino leaves the Grandstand and the program has ended.

Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the PCG would assist in ensuring the implementation of the security measures.

Balilo said small crafts and two rubber boats would be deployed outside the breakwater to make sure that no unauthorized vessels would be able to enter the restriction zone that time.

Aquino, 50, is the 15th president of the country, succeeding out-going President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=284335

[hakz2007]

Third boat in ‘balangay’ epic voyage unveiled

BUTUAN CITY—A group of explorers seeking to retrace the ancient Filipinos’ migration unveiled on Friday a third wooden boat patterned after the pre-colonial vessel called the “balangay.”

The “Sama Tawi-Tawi” will join two other balangays—“Diwata ng Lahi” (Fairy of the Race) and “Mazawa hong Butuan” (Radiance of Butuan) in Zamboanga City—for an expedition across Southeast Asia and then to China.

“We will leave for Zamboanga on Wednesday and rendezvous with the two other boats,” Art Valdez, leader of the expedition, said Sunday.

He said the three boats would leave Zamboanga on July 28.

Valdez said the third boat was named after the boat builders belonging to the Sama, a semi-nomadic seafaring tribe from Sibutu and Sitangkay in Tawi-Tawi.

Unlike the two balangays, the Sama Tawi-Tawi has an engine and communications equipment, such as radio, cell phones and GPS (global positioning system), “so that it can be detected by the radar of naval vessels during its voyage in Asian waters,” Valdez said.

Support vessel

“The Sama Tawi-Tawi is essentially a support vessel to the two balangays on our voyage to our neighboring Southeast Asian countries and China,” he said.

The boat is 75 feet long, 15 feet wide and 10 feet high.

Considerably larger than the Mazawa hong Butuan and the Diwata ng Lahi, the Sama Tawi-Tawi resembles the balangays that were unearthed by archeologists at the site of a pre-Hispanic settlement here.

Valdez said the Sama Tawi-Tawi would sail a total of 14,000 kilometers to Indonesia, Sabah, Vietnam, Taiwan and China, and back.

The historic voyage hopes to retrace the migration and trade routes of ancient Filipinos in Southeast Asia and China.

The team is expected to return to the Philippines in December.

The Philippine leg of the balangay voyage lasted eight months and covered 2,500 km.

The Diwata ng Lahi started in Manila on Sept. 1 last year and arrived in Zamboanga City on May 1 after more than 70 port stopovers.

The three balangays are expected to reach Vietnam in time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in September this year. They will then proceed to China and arrive in Shanghai by mid-October for the 2010 World Expo.

Agnes Andaya, project director of the Butuan Global Forum, said the Sama Tawi-Tawi was proof of the balangay’s continuing journey that highlighted the greatness of ancient Butuanons in seafaring and trade.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquire...oyage-unveiled

[hakz2007]

Aboitiz Transport, cargo handler merger approved

LISTED ABOITIZ Transport Systems Corp. (ATS) has been given the green light to fold in another subsidiary as part of the parent firm’s ongoing efforts to cut costs amid rising expenses.

In a disclosure, ATS said the Securities and Exchange Commission had approved the company’s merger with wholly-owned subsidiary Reefer Van Specialists Inc. (RVSI).

RVSI, which is engaged in domestic cargo handling operations, will be folded into ATS’ freight brand, 2Go.

“The merger of ATS and RVSI will enable ATS to provide integrated service offerings to its clients ranging from full container to loose cargo loads and will provide effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of freight services of ATS,” the company said.

The merger, the parent firm said, would also result in “effective management and cost efficiencies for both companies.”

All existing RVSI employees will be separated and paid accordingly, ATS said.

In July, ATS obtained regulatory approval to merge with Zoom In Packages Inc (ZIP)., another wholly owned unit engaged in the business of moving loose cargo.

Like RVSI, ZIP’s operations were folded into 2Go, which will become the sole brand name for all of ATS’ cargo operations.

Earlier this month, ATS said it posted a P152.2-million net loss for the six-month period ending in June. This compared to the company’s profit of P496.1 million in the first half of last year.

The losses, the company said, were a result of the “extensive” dry-docking of ships.

“The vessels will be back in operation by the second half of the year. For the next 30 months until its next scheduled maintenance, ATS expects to maximize the earnings potential of its fleet,” the company said.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/t...erger-approved

[oCTANE95]

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