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The Maritime Industry Authority used a landmark visit by Belgium’s foreign minister to advance a broad maritime cooperation agenda spanning digital transformation, alternative fuel training, and investment in the country’s shipbuilding and ship repair industries
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MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan met with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who was on a visit to Manila as the two countries celebrated their 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations
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MARINA presented its flagship digital platforms MISMO and MARINA-BEST; discussions also covered aligning workforce development with the IMO’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas Strategy
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Parties explored potential collaboration on alternative fuel training for Filipino seafarers in support of the global green shipping transition
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Earlier, Prévot met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and discussed full implementation of the Philippine-Belgium Joint Plan of Action 2023-2027
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Areas of potential stronger cooperation include green energy, science and technology, and semiconductors, among others
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) used a landmark visit by Belgium’s foreign minister to advance a broad maritime cooperation agenda spanning digital transformation, alternative fuel training, and investment in the country’s shipbuilding and ship repair industries, as the Philippines and Belgium mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.
MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan hosted Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot – whose visit is the first by a Belgian foreign minister to Manila since 1993 — alongside Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Vladislava Iordanova, the agency said in a statement,
MARINA presented its flagship digital transformation initiatives, MISMO and MARINA-BEST, and discussions focused on aligning Filipino seafarer workforce development with the International Maritime Organization’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas Strategy. The two sides also explored potential collaboration on alternative fuel training to equip Filipino seafarers for the global transition to greener shipping.
Malaluan invited Belgium to explore partnerships with MARINA in developing the Philippines’ shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship recycling sectors, citing Belgium’s expertise in maritime innovation and sustainable industrial practices.
READ: MARINA calls on shipbuilding sector to take lead, help lobby for bills
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the International Food Services Maritime Catering Training Centre in Parañaque, showcasing Belgium’s continuing investment in the competency development of Filipino seafarers through world-class training infrastructure.
Also present were officials from Philippine Transmarine Carriers and the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc., who highlighted their long-standing partnerships with Belgian maritime stakeholders.
Discussions also covered the ongoing European Union-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Sustainable Connectivity Package for Seafarers project, which supports the Philippines in strengthening its implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
The project was presented by Andreas Nordseth, who leads its implementation.
MARINA said the high-level engagement reflects growing momentum in Philippines-Belgium maritime relations and both countries’ stated commitment to building a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime industry.
Green energy, other sectors
Before the meeting with MARINA, Prévot held a joint press conference with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on June 30, where they announced an agreement to accelerate the full implementation of the Philippine-Belgium Joint Plan of Action 2023-2027.
The two ministers identified new areas of potential partnership that included maritime affairs, legal and police cooperation, creative industries, science and technology, trade and investment, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
Belgium, Prévot said, could offer Manila its “cutting-edge expertise” in offshore renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, as it advances its own energy transition.
“The message of my visit is therefore straightforward: Belgium is present, Belgium is engaged, and Belgium wishes to do more – more trade, more investment, more maritime cooperation, more exchanges between our people, more collaboration in security and more partnership within the wider ASEAN and Indo-Pacific contexts,” Prévot said.
Prévot also framed the visit within a broader European strategic calculus, describing the Philippines as a country that shares Belgium’s commitment to international law, open markets, multilateralism, and the rules-based international order.
“We are currently living in troubled times and it is the reason why it is important to reinforce the ties between like-minded partners and continue to advocate strongly for the respect of a rules-based order,” he said.
On trade, Prévot said Belgium would push for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union, which is expected to be signed in the coming months.
READ: PEZA upbeat on more European investors post PH-EU trade deal
“It is important to conclude as soon as possible this FTA because it will open and offer a wide range of new opportunities for our respective economies,” he said. “Belgium is a middle-sized country, but 85 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product) depends on exports. So, it is huge and it means it is important to conclude strong partnerships with reliable partners.”— Michael Barcas
