The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA), which sets minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels, does not affect domestic fishing operations in the Philippines as the deal primarily applies to fishing vessels engaged in international voyages.
“The CTA primarily applies to fishing vessels engaged in international voyages. It does not affect domestic fishing operations within Philippine waters,” MARINA said in a statement.
“The Philippines has not acceded to the CTA due to technical and procedural issues,” said MARINA but did not elaborate what are the technical and procedural issues.
According to Marina, during the earlier conduct of national interest analysis the Agreement had not yet met the required conditions for entry into force, which include ratification by at least 22 IMO Member States collectively representing 3,600 vessels of more than 24 meters in length.
The entry-into-force conditions have now been satisfied with the accession of Argentina on 24 February 2026, 12 months afterwhich the CTA will take effect or in February 2027.
Nonetheless, MARINA said it will continue to assess the appropriate course of action regarding accession, in coordination with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
The CTA, which has the backing of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is an internationally-binding instrument that sets minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels of 24 meters in length and over or equivalent in gross tons.
The treaty aims to establish mandatory international requirements for stability, machinery, and life-saving appliances, as well as to facilitate better control of fishing vessel safety by flag, port, and coastal states.
As of early 2026, there are 28 Contracting States to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA), which sets safety standards for fishing vessels of 24 meters or more. Key, active parties include Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Congo, Cook Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, and Vanuatu.
The treaty requires 22 states with an aggregate of 3,600+ qualifying fishing vessels to enter into force.
