The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
Aiming for sustainable growth and global competitiveness, the Danish Embassy in Manila, together with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and Department of Transportation (DOTr), will spearhead an initiative to revitalize the local shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry.
Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the partnership with Denmark signals a new era of growth and innovation in shipbuilding.
“We are not just a nation of seafarers but a nation of shipbuilders,” Malaluan pointed out as she commended industry leaders such as Tsuneishi, Austal, Seatrium and Hyundai for expanding the country’s shipbuilding capacity.
In a statement, Danish ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin, Danish Ambassador said Copenhagen “has a long-standing history of leadership in the maritime industry, and we are proud to share our expertise with the Philippines.”
“Together, we can build a future where the Philippines becomes a global hub for shipbuilding and repair,” said Mellbin.
For his part, ARTA director general Ernesto Perez stressed the sector’s economic importance, saying that “the Philippines is already a top global player in shipping and it is essential to continue strengthening our shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities.”
Perez noted that “by improving policies and fostering innovation, (the partnership’s) goal is to enhance the Philippines’ standing as a global maritime leader.”
The central focus of the initiative is the SBSR Bill, which aims to modernize the industry, create high-quality jobs, and attract foreign investments.
With rising global demand for shipbuilding, the initiative represents a critical step toward positioning the Philippines as a major player in the international maritime economy.