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Malay, Aklan- To enhance collaboration in marine accident investigations, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through its Enforcement Service (ES), hosted the Marine Accident Investigators’ Forum in Asia 2024 (MAIFA24) from 4-6 September 2024.
The event aimed to strengthen cooperation and improve safety in the maritime industry, bringing together international delegates and marine investigators from across the region.
MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan emphasized the importance of the proactive discussions, describing them as a testament to MAIFA’s progressive and collaborative spirit.
Throughout the three-day event, delegates discussed regional updates and presented case studies on key maritime incidents, including ship sinkings, collisions, capsizing, occupational accidents, and onboard fires. The forum provided a platform for the exchange of best practices and new methodologies in marine casualty investigations. Discussions also covered the updates on the Comprehensive Review of the Casualty Investigation Code and findings from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). Saudi Arabia was formally welcomed as MAIFA’s newest member, becoming the 15th country to join the organization.
MAIFA24 was attended by representatives from 11 member states—Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia—along with observers from France, the Marshall Islands, Denmark, and Saudi Arabia. Other key participants included the Filipino Shipowners Association, the United Harbor Pilots Association of the Philippines, the Local Government of Aklan, and the Philippine Coast Guard Western Command.
This year’s forum further strengthened international collaboration in marine accident investigations, contributing to safer seas across the region. The next MAIFA will be hosted by Singapore in 2025.