The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) welcomed the first foreign-owned shipping company in the Philippines.
Under its flagship intra-Asia brand CNC, the CMA CGM Group launched the CMA CGM Philippines Shipping (CCPS) as the first 100% foreign-owned shipping company registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that will provide domestic shipping service in the country. The CNC Pilipinas, first Philippine-flagged vessel in the CMA CGM fleet, has a capacity to carry 1,037 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) would serve weekly via Luzon Visayas Mindanao Express (LVMX), with port rotation Manila-Cagayan De Oro-Cebu-Manila.
The MARINA led by Administrator Sonia Malaluan expressed its support to the CCPS during its inauguration ceremony held at Hilton Hotel, Pasay City on 27 September 2024. Malaluan highlighted that the Agency welcomes new players such as CMA CGM in the country especially with the amendment of RA 11659 otherwise known as Public Service Act, which allows 100 percent foreign ownership. She said that MARINA believes that this development will lead to attracting more investments and level up the competition in the maritime sector. The Administrator added that they expect bigger, better, greener and safer ships in the domestic shipping following the entry of the CMA CGM Philippines, as well as more job opportunities for Filipino seafarers and reduced transport cost in the future.
Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento said that the government focuses on safety, decarbonization and innovation through digitalization, which is consistent with the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028. He emphasized that safety is the main priority and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is confident that CNC will be a core partner in promoting a safety culture and green shipping in the country. Usec. Sarmiento believes that CNC will lead the way in decarbonizing sea transport in line with the goal of complying with the IMO GHG strategy.
The CNC Philippines Domestic Shipping Service Launch was also attended by CMA CGM Asia Pacific CEO Bo Wegener, CNC CEO Steven Zhu, French Ambassador H.E. Marie Fontanel and other MARINA officials among others.
#DOTrPH🇵🇭
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