Interferry moves on Philippines ferry safety

The move, echoing its current efforts with the IMO in Bangladesh, came in instant response to an impassioned speech by the head of a private Filipino ferry company at the trade association’s 35^th anniversary annual conference in New York last week. Christopher Pastrana, founder of Philippine Archipelago Ferry Corp, said he was ashamed of the nation’s maritime safety record, marked by 30 major incidents and more than 5,000 deaths over the past 30 years, particularly as more Filipino seamen than any other nationality were employed in the world fleet.

Speaking during a session on developments in emerging markets, Pastrana said his company had carried ten million passengers since joining the government’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway service expansion project in 2004, but had done so with nine different ro-ro ships that came from a variety of countries and were not purpose-built. “The current Philippines ferry fleet averages 25-28 years old and most have been purchased second hand from Japan, China and Norway, which probably contributes to the high incidence of maritime accidents in the country,” he pointed out.

In a drive to lead safety and efficiency improvements, the company has financing in place and is preparing to order ten new ro-pax catamarans, designed by Australia’s Sea Transport Solutions. “We will revive the Philippines marine industry with international class vessels operating in domestic waters,” said Pastrana, who is also president of the Philippine RoRo Operators Association and a captain in the national coastguard auxiliary.

Asked what the government was doing about the ‘appalling’ safety record, he said the public and private sectors must work hand in hand on a fleet modernisation programme but stressed: “We in the private sector have to take the initiative to raise the bar and set an example to other operators by phasing out older vessels. We hope our new ships will encourage other owners to go this way.”

The Interferry board reacted immediately by authorising a letter from CEO Len Roueche to Jose deJesus, secretary of the Philippines transportation department. Roueche wrote: “The presentation by Mr Pastrana was without doubt the highlight of the conference and outlined a bold new move by the Philippines to address its poor record in ferry safety. Interferry has long advocated improved ferry safety standards in developing countries and applauds this new initiative to move ahead with modern ferry designs that are safer and more environmentally friendly. Should your government require any assistance on this project, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

The trade association is four years into a ten-year Memorandum of Understanding with the IMO, where it has consultative status, to cut ferry fatalities in developing nations by 90%. Under the initiative, pilot schemes have been launched in Bangladesh focusing on crew training, weather reporting and the compilation of a vessel database.

Explaining the approach to the Philippines, Roueche stressed: “We are awaiting full implementation and feedback from Bangladesh. Meanwhile we have been considering ways of engaging with other developing countries that may also be in need of our expertise and experience, and Mr Pastrana’s presentation absolutely inspired us to make an immediate offer of support in that direction.”

The Interferry CEO plans to discuss the offer with IMO officials next month when he attends the next session of the Maritime Safety Committee.