The Philippines is moving forward with the ratification, accession to, and implementation of priority international maritime conventions.
This follows the approval of three key resolutions by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee to Facilitate the Ratification of/Accession to and Implementation of Maritime Conventions (ICCFRAIMC) during its first meeting for 2026 on 05 August 2026.
The resolutions provide for the creation of Agency Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to lead the preparation of National Interest Analyses and other requirements for the ratification or accession to priority international maritime conventions; the expansion of ICCFRAIMC membership to enhance inter-agency coordination; and the establishment of a TWG to draft a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) for the effective and coordinated implementation of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code in the country.
The Committee also received updates on the status of priority International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments currently under consideration for ratification or accession.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format and attended by representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) – Office of the Assistant Secretary for Maritime (OAM); Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD); Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); Cebu Port Authority (CPA); Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA); Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB); and the University of the Philippines Diliman – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) and Marine Science Institute (MSI).
