As the Philippines and Belgium commemorate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), led by Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with Belgium through initiatives on digital transformation, green shipping, seafarer development, and maritime industry investments.
Administrator Malaluan welcomed Belgian dignitaries led by H.E. Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, together with Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in the Philippines, for a high-level engagement aimed at advancing shared maritime priorities. Also present were officials from Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) and Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT), who shared their long-standing partnership with Belgian maritime stakeholders.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the state-of-the-art facilities of the International Food Services (IFS) Maritime Catering Training Centre in Parañaque, showcasing Belgium’s continued investment in developing the competencies of Filipino seafarers through world-class maritime training.
MARINA presented its flagship digital transformation initiatives, MISMO and MARINA-BEST, while discussions also focused on aligning workforce development with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 Greenhouse Gas Strategy. The parties likewise explored potential collaboration on alternative fuel training to equip Filipino seafarers with the skills needed for the global transition to greener shipping.
Administrator Malaluan also invited Belgium to explore partnerships with MARINA in advancing the development of the Philippines’ shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship recycling industries, recognizing Belgium’s expertise and experience in maritime innovation and sustainable industrial practices.
The discussions also covered the ongoing EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) for Seafarers project, which supports the Philippines in strengthening its implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). The project was presented by Mr. Andreas Nordseth, who leads the implementation of the EU-SCOPE Project.
The visit of Deputy Prime Minister Prévot—the first by a Belgian foreign minister since 1993—underscores the growing momentum in Philippines-Belgium relations and reflects both countries’ shared commitment to fostering a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime industry.
