To enhance maritime safety and promote marine environment protection, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in collaboration with the Maritime League, hosted the 2024 Blue Economy Annual Trade and Conference (BEACON) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
BEACON 2024 serves as a vital platform for showcasing advancements across various sectors, including maritime transportation, naval defense, oil and gas, shipbuilding, boatbuilding, renewable energy, maritime tourism, marine environmental development, and maritime safety.
During the opening ceremony on 30 September 2024, VADM Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, President and Chairman of the Maritime League Inc., welcomed participants to the convention, highlighting its significance as the culminating activity of the National Maritime Archipelagic Awareness Month (MANA Mo). He emphasized the importance of convening to discuss the blue economy, which is essential not only for our economic growth but also for our identity as an archipelago.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the maritime sector and Filipino seafarers through the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which aims to address their needs and empower their aspirations. He stressed that discussions on the blue economy must extend beyond mere mention in speeches and encouraged participants to consider how they can contribute to its advancement.
In her address, MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan outlined the agency's initiatives to assess the capabilities and capacities of the country’s maritime transport sector. She discussed the adoption of emerging technologies such as automation, digitalization, and decarbonization to enhance global competitiveness. The Administrator also invited the BEACON participants to the 4th Marine Environment Protection Forum (MEPF4) and the Maritime Safety Conference, which the MARINA will be hosting during the second day of the expo on 01 October 2024.
The opening ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests, including VADM Rolando Lizor Punzalan of the Philippine Coast Guard, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez, and representatives from the Department of Transportation, MARINA, PCG, and various maritime stakeholders.
The three-day event, running from 30 September to 02 October 2024, will feature exhibitions by maritime stakeholders and forums addressing critical issues such as maritime safety, environmental challenges, and technological innovations, aimed at sharing essential knowledge and best practices for the industry. Simultaneously, the Manila International Boat Show will be held from 30 September to 03 October 2024 at the Manila Yacht Club, further showcasing advancements and innovations in the maritime sector.
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