PH, India ink pact for info exchange on merchant shipping
At A Glance
- The Philippines and India have signed a document which will allow information exchange on merchant shipping traffic between both countries.
- The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Exchange of White Shipping Information was signed by Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu and Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff Adm. R Hari Kumar in New Delhi last Wednesday, August 23.
- White shipping information refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
The Philippines and India have signed a document which will allow information exchange on merchant shipping traffic between both countries, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Friday, August 25.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Exchange of White Shipping Information was signed by PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu and Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff Adm. R Hari Kumar in New Delhi last Wednesday, August 23.
The PCG said the signing of the SOP would facilitate operationalization of information exchange on merchant shipping traffic "which will contribute to enhanced maritime safety and security in the region.”
White shipping information refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
By allowing both agencies to share information of merchant vessels passing through its shared oceanic territories, the PCG and Indian Navy agreed that it would improve their maritime domain awareness (MDA) while facilitating maritime traffic monitoring.
Abu was in India for an official working visit.