The Philippines announced its support for ASEAN’s two groundbreaking maritime transport SMART-C projects -E-Traffic and GHG Reduction – which are set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Planning and Policy Service (PPS) Director Precila C. Jara underscored the country’s strong commitment to advancing regional maritime cooperation and innovation during the recently concluded 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
The E-Traffic initiative aims to modernize maritime traffic management through enhanced e-navigation services, operational improvements, and strengthened compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
Meanwhile, the GHG project aims to propel the country’s maritime decarbonization efforts by developing national policies, upskilling maritime professionals, and building robust systems for greenhouse gas emissions data management in line with the 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy.
“The Philippines remains fully committed to these initiatives and looks forward to sharing benefits and best practices with ASEAN Member States to ensure collective progress,” Director Jara said.
The Philippine delegation further showcased the country’s progress within the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE), underscoring the vital support from ASEAN dialogue partners that continue to bolster the Philippines’ efforts in regional development.
The Philippines also extended its appreciation to the Republic of Korea for spearheading critical projects under the ASEAN-ROK Transport Cooperation Roadmap.
Among these was the ASEAN Workshop on Safe Port Management in Response to Climate Change, where the Philippines shared and gained insights on adapting port infrastructure to address increasing threats from rising sea levels, typhoons, and coastal erosion.
These efforts are aligned with the Philippines’ commitment to advancing safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient maritime infrastructure across the ASEAN region.
