Philippines supports direct shipping trade with special permits

• Jun 19, 2020

Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is supporting direct shipping trade within the Brunei Darussalam- Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) by issuing special permits to shipping lines wanting to expand.

Marina Administrator Robert Empedrad has approved the amendment to the Marina Circular 2013-04, providing for the omnibus rules on the issuance of special permits for the temporary utilisation of Philippine-registered domestic ships to operate in international voyages, Manila media reported.

The application for issuance, renewal and extension of special permits will be given to ships that operate BIMP-EAGA routes and gateway ports. The designated BIMP-EAGA gateway ports are: the value chain linkages of Kuala Belait and Muara in Brunei Darussalam; Balikpapan, Benjarmasin, Pare-Pare, Pontianak, Sorong, Tarakan and Temate in Indonesia; Bintulu, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Menumbok, Miri, Sandakan, Sepanggar/Kota Kinabalu, Sibu, Tanjung Manis and Tawau in Malaysia; and Bongao, Brooke’s Point, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Glan, Pagadian, Puluan, Zamboanga, Siasi and Jolo in the Philippines.

A few years ago, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the governments of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to promote efficient and integrated sea linkages.

Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/2020/06/philippines-supports-direct-shipping-trade-with-special-permits/