cover story Wilson Travina and NYK-Fil Management President Josephine Francisco. The Academy is the biggest single investment in the Philippines by NYK Line and TDG as their commitment to the global competitiveness of Filipino merchant marine officers. NYK (Nipon Yusen Kaisha) is one of the oldest and largest shipping company in the world. TDG (Transnational Diversified Group) is a Filipino-owned conglomerate. NYK-TDG is a consortium focused on maritime opportunities. Party motors back to Manila for a meeting with the DOLE secretary at its offices in Intramuros. Next was a press briefing organized by the Marina administrator at its offices in Kalaw, Manila. A luncheon cum forum was held at the prestigious Manila Peninsula hotel hosted by the FSA and JMG, the Filipino Shipowners Association and the Joint Manning Group. A short-list of officials took the tab at the send-off dinner at the global hotel chain, Shangrila at Makati City. Views and nuggets. On piracy: The Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean are too huge to secure by limited navies. Shipping operations may just use best practices, even using armed private marshals. In a recent meeting in New York with UN Sec-Gen Boon, he assures the issue will be debated at the highest level. But UN and IMO should consider
The IMO Sec-Gen courtesy call on the Philippine President. Walden SP Villapando photo. increasing its workforce to help Somalia build up its own capacity and establish law enforcement capability. Sekimizu has to admit, “it is a long way to go, we have just started.” And similar trouble lurks at the Mosambique Channel. EMSA withdrawal: “It is a good opportunity for the Filipino Government to build up once again or improve the situation.” On the question that EMSA
does not have a unilateral right to withdraw recognition, he hedges and says EMSA and State governments are responsible and will act to the best resolution. Sekimizu, however, evokes a safety net, “… STCW convention has a mechanism to review the process and performance of member government.” IMO audit: Sekimizu is moving towards mandatory IMO audit scheme to be implemented by Year 2015 and, “… all those important issues to be handled in a very difficult financial time.” Without giving any policy directions, he just waxes poetical: “Let’s work together and turn years of difficulty to years of opportunity.” Cooperation and funding: “I have proposed country profile on the technical cooperation of every developing country… once we have recognized clear cooperation needs, then we can allocate … funding on priority area… IMO should act as a facilitator.” Simply, IMO wants to see a clear country picture and call the shots on determining priorities of needs over wants.
With NYK officers. Walden SP Villapando photo.
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FUSION OF MA RI T I ME NE W S & VI E W S
FEBRUARY 2012
Criminalization of seafarers: IMO objects to any movement criminalizing seafarers. But he accepts, “We need to establish a better system for ensuring maritime security and IMO is working on this.” Should any member encounter any serious incident, “.. IMO secretariat will take a look and take further action to settle the matter.”