THE MARITIME CONFEDERATION Introduction The Philippine maritime industrys potential as a key component of the nations economy has

not been fully recognized and harnessed for so many decades. Besides the continuing unfavorable business climate and local laws for supporting the various sectors of the maritime industry; from ship owning, chartering, ship registration, ship management and manning to ship building, ship repair, ports development, etc., the industry is beset by a lack of visioning and uncoordinated moves by the private sector itself - the private sector being the main driver of this industry. It is high time for all maritime industry stakeholders to band together and develop a common agenda towards bringing this industry to the next level as a major international maritime power; and in so doing establish a common platform to forward this vision in the national awareness, thus continually promote the sustainability and interest of the Philippine shipping sector. November 11, 2011 (11.11.11) was a historic day as the heads of a number of maritime associations met together for the first time, had a friendly and no-holds barred discussion and exchange of ideas towards the goal of creating the first-ever Philippine Maritime Confederation which shall be used as a common platform to push the country as a true shipping nation.

Issues and Concerns Discussed During 11.11.11 Meeting 1. New standards set by the MLC 2006 and the 2010 Manila Amendments to STCW 2. Attitude problems of Filipino seafarers 3. Acute shortage of officers/development of quality crew 4. Abandonment of vessels 5. How to better manage human resources between overseas and domestic fleet 6. Philippine Seafarers ID not being recognized by other countries 7. How to deal with the numerous government agencies 8. Culture of exclusion that results to maritime industry disunity 9. Laws that would govern the fishing industry 10.Lack of support from the government 11.Governments dictatorship on what needs to be done 12.Issue on the Single Maritime Administration 13.To have equal focus on all the sectors of the maritime industry and not just on the manning sector 14.Uncooperative representatives from maritime associations in terms of not personally attending meetings.

Main Goal To provide a common platform for all maritime industry stakeholders to continuously improve the status quo for the betterment and long term sustainability of the industry To support a progressive legislative agenda attuned with the prevailing shipping market To elevate the Philippine maritime industry as an international maritime power

Proposed Next Steps Draft mechanism for the workings of the confederation Finalize initial convenors (legitimate maritime associations) of the confederation Plan for convening an industry-wide workshop to draft the road map towards propelling the Philippines as an international maritime nation