DOTr probes Chinese crew in local vessels

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has asked the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to explain why some shipping vessels circling around Manila Bay are reportedly run by Chinese seafarers.

In a letter dated Jan. 18, a copy of which was sent to The STAR, the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) directed MARINA administrator Hernani Fabia to attend a meeting scheduled yesterday.

Based on the letter, OTS administrator Ma. O Rañada Aplasca wanted Fabia to provide details on reports about ships manned by Chinese seafarers encircling the waters of Manila Bay.

In particular, Aplasca said he was ordered by Transportation Undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento to investigate a certain vessel operated by Spectrum Marine and Ship Management Inc. Sarmiento received a tip that the ship “allegedly has Chinese crews operating within the coastal waters of Manila Bay.”

The STAR reached out to Spectrum Marine through landline to get its side, but a representative of the firm said it “would not give any comment about that.” Spectrum Marine is registered with MARINA as a shipping enterprise conducting crew management for domestic shippers.

A source privy to the matter, on the other hand, confirmed that the DOTr is looking into the case but has yet to receive more details on the reports.

Aplasca, for his part, said OTS is committed to strengthen its partnership with MARINA in terms of complying with requirements for safe and secured maritime transportation.

Likewise, Aplasca said the investigation seeks to uphold the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and issuances made by the OTS geared toward improving the maritime system in the country.

Last year, the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Marinong Pilipino asked Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople to look into foreign vessels working on a reclamation project in Manila. The group said these foreign ships hire foreigners for their operations as well.

Foreign shippers can secure a special permit from MARINA to allow them to operate with an all-foreigner crew. However, without this special permit from their regulator, foreign vessels must be run by Filipino seafarers.

MARINA regional director Mark Anthony Pascua confirmed that the agency has issued a special permit to the vessels of China Harbour Engineering Corp. to operate in Manila Bay.

However, Pascua said that what China Harbour obtained from MARINA was a bareboat charter, meaning the firm is prohibited from hiring Chinese workers for its Manila Bay project.