DOST-PCIEERD, MARINA partner to boost PH maritime transport industry through S&T
As the maritime transport industry links the Philippine islands and connects the country to international trade and commerce, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) renewed recently its partnership to further boost the industry through science and technology (S&T).
Sealed through a memorandum of agreement (MOA), this collaboration puts forward the “Science and Technology for Maritime Transport Applications or STMTA”.
"This ceremonial signing opens a new chapter in the PCIEERD-MARINA partnership as it will not only strengthen the framework for our cooperation but will also be an excellent platform to exchange ideas, possible prospects, and major issues that the industry is currently facing,” said MARINA Administrator VAdm. Robert A. Empedrad.
The STMTA is envisioned to ensure that the country’s maritime transport industry will flourish through S&T activities and innovations on alternative fuels and energy efficient water, transportation technologies, renewable energy, modernization of merchant fleets, and intelligent transport systems (ITS). A modernized maritime R&D center will also be in the works that will serve as the pillar of support for the local maritime tourism, fishing industry, logistics and the shipping industry.
To achieve this, DOST-PCIEERD will source funds to implement projects, provide monitoring and management support, and direction. MARINA will also provide additional funds to facilitate adoption of technologies, sustainability of operation, and formulate policies and guidelines to ensure the accomplishment of the cooperation’s goals.
Detailed in an S&T roadmap for the maritime industry where STMTA projects also fall, DOST-PCIEERD intends to invest P975 million to fully evolve the Philippines’ maritime industry to meet the global standards.
“We will promote inter-modality by enhancing the inland and intercoastal waterways through Internet of Vehicles (IoVs) and inter-agency collaborations. Moreover, we envision the Philippines having alternative sea-worthy ‘green’ vessels and components and IMO-compliant sea crafts,” said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Pairingit.
In the coming months, DOST-PCIEERD, MARINA, and partner institutions will be busy with activities related to STMTA.
Dr. Paringit disclosed that they will be working on finalizing the roadmap and STMTA activities with MARINA, which includes estimating fund sharing among agencies, launching new maritime projects, evaluating new R&D proposals, and prioritizing projects and activities.
As for MARINA, Empedrad mentioned that they will be planning for the seamless adoption and deployment of available maritime innovations and will be seeking more ways to generate funds to support more projects.
Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo of the University of the Philippines (UP), one of the active academic institutions in implementing R&D projects for the maritime industry, suggested to conduct a series of meetings between researchers and MARINA to make sure that upcoming innovations will match the needs of the industry.
Among the accomplishments of DOST-PCIEERD and MARINA under STMTA are the following innovations:
- Automatic Identification System (AIS) - transponder for boats or vessels that automatically receive information broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels and base stations for collision avoidance, real-time vessel monitoring and control, search and rescue, accident investigation, and report generation.
- Hybrid Trimaran - prototype vessel with multiple engines and alternative renewable energy system using ocean wave energy.
- Maritime Route Transport Information System (MARIS) - modular software for effective route capacity measurement as part of MARINA's modernization plan for the Philippine maritime industry.
- Navigational Traffic Information System (NAVIS) - software that enables the user to determine the adequate number of marine vessels for a given route. Some of its features include route rationalization, capacity optimization, and cost-benefit analysis.
- Solar Assisted Electric Boat - solar-assisted electric boat will be developed as a safe, efficient, and sustainable solar-assisted plug-in electric boat that could be utilized for island tourism and passenger transport.
- Port Capacity Assessment and Route Optimization - data-driven Port Capacity Measurement System, which includes modules for port berthing capacity estimation and ship trip scheduling software that will be developed for the optimization of maritime network and management system. (30)
