Rising orders lift Phl shipbuilding industry

CEBU, Philippines - The increase in ship orders from foreign companies is seen to further boost the rising shipbuilding industry in the Philippines.

Hitoshi Kono, president of Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Incorporated, said their company has already received around 60 ship orders from companies in Hong Kong, Europe, Taiwan and Japan.

The Japanese shipbuilder said it has already booked 32 vessel orders for its new ship models -- the bulk carriers TESS35, TESS45 and TESS64 Aeroline.

Fourteen of these ships will be built at the firm's shipyard in the town of Balamban in Cebu, 16 others will be constructed in its China plant, and the two are set to be done in Tsuneishi's Japan plant.

In a recent press interview, Kono noted the constant development of new ship designs that are more economical and environment-friendly would eventually hike ship production.

"We would also expect higher revenues in the number of ships (to be built)," Kono added, saying Tsuneishi has already generated P250 billion in revenues.

The official also said raising the productivity level in the industry would invite more orders from foreign firms.

THICI currently employs around 15,000 local and foreign workers. It has already delivered 193 ships since its inception in 1994.

According to a data from the Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine shipbuilding industry employs about 39,000 workers -- 70 percent of them are skilled and semi-skilled.

Over 50,000 engineers and architects are working for the industry.

Marina said the Philippines has been preparing to become Asia's shipbuilding center. Korea, Japan and China are Asia's current top shipbuilders.

Kono added they want to build more ships in the future. (FREEMAN)