INM_Crew_Welfare_728x90_MarinoWorldOnline_0324.jpg

INMARSAT

Marino World 19th Ann Digital Edition.pdf

MW Sept-Oct 2024 Cover.jpg

September - October 2024 Edition 

MW JUL-AUG.pdf

july-august-2024-thumbnail.png

July - August 2024

MW JAN-FEB 2024.pdf

MW JAN-FEB 2024.jpg

January - February 2024 Edition

MARINO WORLD 18TH ANN DIGITAL EDITION.pdf

MW 18TH ANN COVER.jpg

November 2023 Edition

MARINO WORLD JULY-SEPT 2023 digital edition.pdf

MW cover - JULY - SEPT - SecGen Cotton.png

July - September 2023 Edition

MARINO WORLD MAY 2023 DIGITAL.pdf

MW MAY COVER.jpg

May 2023 Edition

MARINO WORLD JANUARY 2023 DIGITAL EDITION.pdf

COVER PAGE.jpg

January 2023 Edition

MARINO WORLD OCTOBER 2022 DIGITAL EDITION spread.pdf

Screenshot 2022-10-06 105204.jpg

October 2022 Edition

Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has highlighted several areas high on the agenda of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as it embarks on a busy work schedule for 2025.&nbsp;Speaking at a news conference on 14 January 2025, Mr. Dominguez said that IMO’s 176 Member States continue to work together to find solutions to global challenges impacting the maritime sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dark fleetHe addressed rising concerns with the “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet” evading compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoiding insurance costs or engaging in other illegal activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr. Dominguez said: “Sub-standard shipping has been on IMO’s agenda for many years. Not a single ship that does not meet the required IMO standards should be operating out there. That’s why we are ramping up the way that we provide technical cooperation and capacity-building to Member States [to effectively enforce IMO regulations].”&nbsp;While IMO does not impose sanctions, it follows sanctions set by the UN Security Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Secretary-General called on all Member States to carry out their obligations as Parties to IMO instruments, in line with the&nbsp;<a href="https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/AssemblyDocuments/A.1192%2833%29.pdf">resolution</a>&nbsp;adopted by the IMO Assembly in December 2023. The issue will be discussed further at the upcoming session of the IMO’s Legal Committee (24 to 28 March 2025).&nbsp;&nbsp;Red Sea regionIMO has confirmed reports of at least 69 attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area, occurring between November 2023 and November 2024. None have been reported to IMO since November 2024. These illegal and unjustifiable attacks have resulted in widespread impacts on the industry and global economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Secretary-General said that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the&nbsp;MV Galaxy Leader&nbsp;and its 25-person crew, who remain detained since the ship was taken hostage in November 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;As his first mission of the year, the Secretary-General will be in Egypt next week to open the IMO Regional Presence Office in Alexandria, to coordinate technical assistance in the region to support maritime safety, security and environmental protection.&nbsp;Shipping decarbonizationThe Secretary-General provided an update on ongoing negotiations towards a new set of binding regulations aimed at cutting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships and achieving net-zero shipping by or around 2050.&nbsp;&nbsp;These measures include a global marine fuel standard and a global pricing mechanism for GHG emissions from ships. These are expected to be adopted during an extraordinary session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee scheduled from 13 to 17 October 2025.&nbsp;“We remain on track and we continue to make progress,” said Mr. Dominguez.&nbsp;Other key issuesThe session covered a range of topics, including seafarer abandonment and criminalization, ocean protection, ship recycling and diversity in the maritime sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;Source: IMO&nbsp;

Dark fleet, decarbonization, geopolitical pressures remain top maritime focus areas in 2025

The search for Gel Aguaviva, a 44-year-old Filipino deck fitter who disappeared from the bulk carrier RTM Zheng He on December 26, 2024, remains inconclusive. Initial reports suggested a helmet potentially linked to Aguaviva was spotted floating at sea by a searching vessel, but further searches failed to recover it. A Rio Tinto spokesperson clarified that no confirmed evidence or items related to Aguaviva have been found, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has been leading the search, has yet to report any breakthroughs.&nbsp;Aguaviva was last seen while the RTM Zheng He, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by Anglo Eastern, was traveling through international waters near the Philippines on its way to northern Western Australia. While the PCG has temporarily paused its search, passing vessels have been instructed to remain vigilant. The ship retraced its route to search for Aguaviva before proceeding to Dampier, where it is now anchored.&nbsp;Due to the vessel’s flag state and the location of the incident, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore has taken the lead in the investigation. Concurrently, Rio Tinto has initiated its' own inquiry and dispatched executives to visit the ship upon its arrival in Dampier. To support the crew, Rio Tinto provided access to mental health resources, psychologists, care packages, and chaplain visits, emphasizing their commitment to the well-being of those onboard during this difficult time.&nbsp;Aguaviva’s wife, Necie May, expressed her anguish in an interview with SBS Filipino, sharing that she last spoke with her husband the day before he vanished. “I won’t stop until I know the whole truth about what happened to him,” she said, adding, “We just want to know what happened and ensure Gel didn’t suffer because of someone else’s actions.” Aguaviva was scheduled to return home in May to celebrate their teenager’s graduation, further deepening the family’s grief over his sudden disappearance.&nbsp;Both Rio Tinto and Anglo Eastern have made efforts to assist the Aguaviva family, with Anglo Eastern representatives visiting them multiple times to offer support and updates. Despite these efforts, the circumstances surrounding Aguaviva’s disappearance remain unclear, leaving his family desperate for answers as the investigation and search continue.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By: Dave Florian Balanon

Uncertainty lingers over missing seafarer

The search for Gel Aguaviva, a 44-year-old Filipino deck fitter who disappeared from the bulk carrier RTM Zheng He on December 26, 2024, remains inconclusive. Initial reports suggested a helmet potentially linked to Aguaviva was spotted floating at sea by a searching vessel, but further searches failed to recover it. A Rio Tinto spokesperson clarified that no confirmed evidence or items related to Aguaviva have been found, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has been leading the search, has yet to report any breakthroughs.

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan underscored the agency’s milestones in 2024 and laid out strategic goals for 2025 during the year-end press conference "Kwentuhan with MARINA Administrator" on December 19, 2024, at the MARINA Central Office in Manila.&nbsp;“Our top priority this year was the implementation of our digitalization project,” said Malaluan, highlighting the blockchain-enabled certification system launched on July 1. “We have registered 7,216 users, and by mid-2025, all seafarer certificates will be fully electronic, eliminating the need for manual applications.”&nbsp;Malaluan also emphasized the success of the nationwide maritime safety awareness campaign, conducted in partnership with local governments. “We’ve signed 11 memoranda of agreement with local government units to promote passenger safety, environmental protection, and awareness of passenger rights,” she said.&nbsp;On the international front, MARINA submitted proposals to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for amendments to the STCW Convention. “This year, we didn’t just attend IMO meetings; we submitted five proposals. The Philippines’ voice is now being heard,” Malaluan stated. She also noted ongoing partnerships with countries like Saudi Arabia, which have strengthened the global recognition of Filipino seafarer certifications.&nbsp;For 2025, Malaluan stressed the agency’s commitment to expanding digital systems and aligning with global sustainability initiatives. “We aim to interface seamlessly with international systems, reducing burdens on seafarers while ensuring compliance. This includes pursuing the Magna Carta for Seafarers, which will be a key focus in the coming year,” she added.&nbsp;&nbsp;By: Dave Florian Balanon

MARINA highlights achievements, plans 

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan underscored the agency’s milestones in 2024 and laid out strategic goals for 2025 during the year-end press conference "Kwentuhan with MARINA Administrator" on December 19, 2024, at the MARINA Central Office in Manila.



MARINA highlights achievements, plans 



The father of a Filipino deck cadet has requested a comprehensive probe into his son's disappearance while onboard a vessel in international waters.&nbsp;According to the initial report, Ralph Anthony Bobiles, a 28-year-old deck cadet at Prestige Ace, a Panama-flagged car carrier, was reported missing on December 5 while the vessel was cruising the Gulf of Mexico en route to the United States.&nbsp;In a phone interview, Ralph Anthony’s father Elias Bobiles, Jr. asked the authorities and relevant agencies to assist their family in uncovering the truth about his son's disappearance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Elias is currently serving as Barangay Captain in San Roque, Tabaco City, Albay.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said that he cannot believe the initial report of the manning agency, Parola Maritime Agency Corporation that his son may have jumped overboard, because they have a happy family and there is no reason for his son to commit suicide.&nbsp;Elias recalled his last video call with Ralph on December 4, when the ship was departing from Veracruz Port in Mexico. His son was very happy stating, “Papa pagdating ko ng Pinas before Christmas, isang buwan lang ako dyan, balik agad ako kasi napromote ako bilang OS.”("Dad, when I arrive in the Philippines before Christmas, I will only be there for a month, I’m going back right away because I was promoted to OS.")&nbsp;“Torture sa isip ko kasi matutulog ako nakikita ko yung mukha ng anak ko na masiyahin na bata.” (It's torture in my mind, as I go to sleep, I see my son's face, a happy child.)&nbsp;Elias is waiting for the manning agency to approve his request to visit the vessel and see Ralph's cabin’s window, which, according to the captain's initial report, is where his son may have gone overboard. Furthermore, they would like to recover the things left by his son.&nbsp;He said that the agency has not provided them with any additional information to date. “It was all their family’s initiatives to obtain more data with the help of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).”&nbsp;Elias stated that his latest meeting with the company's vice president occurred on December 23. However, the executive was accompanied by an insurance representative, who failed to provide him with any updates regarding the investigation.&nbsp;“Masyado akong nasaktan. Bakit insurance agad may conclusion na agad sila,” Eliaz lamented.("I'm deeply hurt. Why do they have an insurance representative that immediately comes to a conclusion?"&nbsp;Elias reiterated his call ‘Ang pinaka importante sa amin dito yung justice kasi yung pera pag masipag ka makakakuha ka, pero ang buhay isa lang po, hindi na maibabalik, yun ang pinaka inportante sa pamilya ko.”&nbsp;The most important thing for us here is justice, because if you work hard, you can get money, but life is only one, it can't be brought back, that's what's most important to my family."

Father of missing cadet appeals for in-depth inquiry

The father of a Filipino deck cadet has requested a comprehensive probe into his son's disappearance while onboard a vessel in international waters.

DIGITAL EDITIONS