A project to support the Philippines to enhance the safety and energy efficiency of its domestic ferry operations has commenced with a virtual meeting for multiple stakeholders involved in the operation and certification of the country's shipping and ferry services.
The year-long US$354,250 project is funded by the World Bank Group (WBG), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Under the project, studies will be undertaken by to identify gaps and outline best practices for the safety, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation of domestic passenger ships in the Philippines.
The team includes experts from the World Maritime University (WMU), the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom, and national stakeholders from the Philippines alongside national consultants. The project is being coordinated by the Philippines' Marine Industry Authority (MARINA).
To support energy efficiency improvements, the project aims to analyse the current state of the domestic ferry industry in the Philippines, in terms of energy efficiency and carbon footprint. The most practical and cost-effective options for improvement will be identified and a feasible road-map for action drawn up.
From the safety perspective, the study will utilise IMO's Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology. This is a process that assesses the hazards relating to maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and evaluates the costs and benefits of various Risk Control Options (RCOs), to reduce these risks, leading to tiered recommendations.
The IMO said it anticipates that this pilot project will provide a blueprint to be expanded to other regions in future.