The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to further boost the country’s maritime industry through science and technology (S&T).
The partnership seeks to put forward the “Science and Technology for Maritime Transport Applications (STMTA)”, DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said in a report.
“The STMTA is envisioned to ensure that the country’s maritime transport industry will flourish from S&T activities and innovations on alternative fuels and energy efficient water, transportation technologies, renewable energy, modernization of merchant fleets, and intelligent transport systems (ITS),” he said.
Under the MOA, a maritime research and development (R&D) center is envisioned to be put up under MARINA, the DOST chief noted.
“To achieve this, DOST-PCIEERD will support projects, provide monitoring and management support, and direction. MARINA will also shell out additional funds to facilitate adoption of technologies, sustainability of operation and formulate policies and guidelines to ensure the accomplishment of the cooperation’s goals,” de la Peña said.
He noted that MARINA eyes having 200 routes and 293 RORO (roll-on/roll-off) ships by 2020.
Among the innovative projects of DOST-PCIEERD and MARINA under STMTA are:
-Automatic Identification System (AIS) - transponder for boats or vessels that automatically receive information broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels and base stations for collision avoidance, real-time vessel monitoring and control, search and rescue, accident investigation, and report generation.
- Hybrid Trimaran - prototype vessel with multiple engines and alternative renewable energy system using ocean wave energy.
-Maritime Route Transport Information System (MARIS) - modular software for effective route capacity measurement as part of MARINA's modernization plan for the Philippine maritime industry.
-Navigational Traffic Information System (NAVIS) - software that enables the user to determine the adequate number of marine vessels for a given route.
-Solar Assisted Electric Boat - solar-assisted electric boat will be developed as a safe, efficient, and sustainable solar-assisted plug-in electric boat that could be utilized for island tourism and passenger transport.
-Port Capacity Assessment and Route Optimization - data-driven Port Capacity Measurement System, which includes modules for port berthing capacity estimation and ship trip scheduling software.
The DOST-PCIEERD is seeking to pour in P975 million to fully evolve the country’s maritime industry to meet the global standards.