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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority is stepping up its bid to turn the country into a regional maritime hub by offering global shipbuilders fiscal incentives, investment processing support, digital infrastructure, and sustainability tools
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PEZA has approved 13 shipbuilding and maritime support enterprises out of more than 4,000 total projects, generating over 30,000 jobs
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Incentives include income tax holidays, enhanced deductions, duty-free importation of capital equipment, and streamlined registration
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PEZA-accredited economic zones are serving as technology transfer incubators, upskilling engineers, welders, and maritime experts in digital design, 3D laser scanning, and Industry 4.0
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PEZA’s stated goal: a “No red tape, only red carpet” regulatory environment for global maritime investors
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is stepping up its bid to make the country a regional maritime powerhouse, offering global shipbuilders a package of fiscal incentives, investment processing support, and sustainability tools.
Speaking at the PhilMarine Expo 2026, PEZA deputy director general for finance and administration Anidelle Joy Alguso told industry leaders the agency has so far approved 13 shipbuilding and maritime support enterprises, drawn from a portfolio of more than 4,000 registered projects that have collectively generated over 30,000 jobs for Filipinos.
“As a trusted partner for both local and international investors, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority continues to champion the ease of doing business and build competitive ecosystems,” Alguso said in the keynote address on behalf of PEZA director general Tereso Panga.
Among the authority’s most prominent maritime locators is Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, headquartered within PEZA’s Cebu ecosystem. Filipino workers in that zone played a direct role in producing Tsuneishi’s first 82,000 metric ton ethanol-fueled Kamsarmax bulk carrier, a milestone Alguso cited as evidence of the local workforce’s growing technical capabilities.
READ: Marcos approves another West Cebu Industrial Park expansion
To attract further investment, PEZA is offering maritime enterprises income tax holidays, enhanced deductions, duty-free importation of capital equipment and supplies, and streamlined business registration supported by customs and investment facilitation services.
But officials say incentives alone are no longer sufficient to win over sophisticated global investors. PEZA is positioning its economic zones as active incubators for technology transfer, upskilling thousands of engineers, welders, and maritime specialists in advanced digital design, 3D laser scanning, and Industry 4.0 applications, a collaboration the authority says must extend across government, industry, and academia.
“We understand that what truly drives investment and innovation is collaboration between the government, industry, and academia,” Alguso said.
On the sustainability front, PEZA-registered marine enterprises are pivoting toward greener manufacturing and decarbonization. To support that shift, the authority has launched eSURGE, its Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters — a digital platform allowing locators to monitor, manage, and report carbon emissions and broader environmental, social and governance performance in real time.
“This ensures that our shipbuilders remain globally competitive and fully compliant with international green trade standards,” Alguso said.
The broader strategy also encompasses smart infrastructure, green energy integration, and digitalization across PEZA’s economic zones.
Alguso outlined the authority’s regulatory goals, saying, “Our goal is simple — to provide a seamless, world-class regulatory environment marked by no red tape, only red carpet treatment, where global maritime enterprises can thrive.”
READ: PEZA aligns strategies with 2026 investment priority plan
The Philippine Marine Expo, organized by Fireworks Exhibitions and Conferences, serves as one of the industry’s principal gatherings for shipbuilders, offshore operators, and maritime suppliers across the ASEAN region.— Michael Barcas
