𝐏𝐇 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮

The Philippines has taken a key step toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime sector with the launch of a national workshop aimed at developing a baseline for emissions and crafting a long-term decarbonization plan.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, formally opened the IMO-ROK SMART-C GHG Project National Kick-off Workshop on 13 April 2026 in Cebu City.

The four-day workshop, which runs until today, 16 April, brings together government agencies, maritime stakeholders, and international partners under the theme “Accelerating Maritime Decarbonization in the Philippines through Data, Innovation, and Collaboration.”

In a message delivered by Deputy Administrator for Planning Nenita Atienza, MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan underscored the importance of addressing emissions in the maritime sector.

“By addressing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector, we contribute to global climate goals while safeguarding the well-being of future generations. The work we begin here has the potential to shape meaningful and lasting change,” Malaluan said.

For her part, Ms. Yingming Wang of the International Maritime Organization described the initiative as a critical starting point. She underscored the importance of collaboration, continuous technical work, and stakeholder engagement in developing a National Action Plan (NAP), and encouraged active participation toward building a cleaner, more efficient, and resilient maritime sector.

For his part, MARINA Regional Office 7 Regional Director Engr. Ronaldo P. Bandalaria, as delivered by Engr. Rochyl Villamor, said the workshop marks the beginning of a coordinated national effort to establish the country’s maritime emissions baseline and develop a National Action Plan (NAP) on maritime decarbonization.

“This initiative marks the official start of our work together as we lay the groundwork for the Philippines’ maritime GHG emissions baseline and set the direction for the National Action Plan,” Bandalaria said, as he expressed appreciation for the support of the IMO and the Korean government.

He added that the workshop would open discussions on data practices, regulatory requirements, and operational improvements, while aligning stakeholders, forming a national task force, and identifying resources needed to build a reliable data system.

The workshop aims to establish the technical foundation for the country’s maritime GHG emissions baseline and guide the development of a national decarbonization roadmap.

Expected outputs include a shared understanding of the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy, identification of gaps in existing maritime data systems, initial review of national regulatory frameworks, and agreement on next steps, focal points, and timelines for developing the National Action Plan.

Participants include representatives from the MARINA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and other maritime stakeholders.