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The Maritime Industry Authority will launch the Maritime Transportation Information System in the first quarter of 2024
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The system is designed to fill the gap in the understanding of maritime traffic in the Philippines
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It will enable shipping companies to access and input operational data, such as passengers and cargo carried on all voyages, on a database
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will launch the Maritime Transportation Information System (MARIS) in the first quarter of 2024 in line with the agency’s plan for digital transformation.
MARIS seeks to revolutionize the shipping industry through a data-based approach, enhancing efficiency and transparency. It aims to rationalize vessel routes, optimize transport systems based on historical demand to minimize investment risks, and enhance overall efficiency.
Currently, there is no system in any government agency that analyzes routes and their capacities across the country.
Addressing the gap in understanding maritime traffic in the Philippines, MARINA deputy administrator for planning, Sonia B. Malaluan, announced the forthcoming debut of MARIS, along with two complementary systems: the MARINA Blockchain-Enabled Automated Certification System or BEST, and the Maritime Energy Demand Information and Analysis Software or MEDIANS.
MARIS will also enable shipping companies to access and input operational data, such as passengers and cargo carried on all voyages, on a database.
The data will provide a comprehensive overview of shipping operations for all vessels with the requisite franchise or authority to operate.
The project has produced a software called Navis, which was developed in partnership with the University of the Philippines and funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
The Navis software, currently in its second development phase, features a comprehensive database for compiling and storing routes, ships, trips, and port-related data.
Navis helps MARINA create an information structure to evaluate different market scenarios and existing transport routes, John Justine Villar, the project lead and professor at UP Department of Computer Science, explained during a recent public orientation. It serves as a tool for decision-makers to predict future demand for maritime transport route improvements.
Future developments of MARIS include a route component addressing previously unserved routes. Additionally, a network-wide feature will employ a hub-and-spoke approach to assess vessel supply adequacy.
