SAFETY4SEA MANILA FORUM SET TO CONVENE MARITIME LEADERS IN APRIL 2026 | Marino Ph

The SAFETY4SEA Manila Forum is set to take place on April 16, 2026, at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in the Philippines, gathering key stakeholders from across the maritime industry. The event is expected to bring together shipowners, managers, maritime professionals, and training institutions to discuss current challenges and priorities in safety, training, and seafarer welfare. As the industry continues to face operational and global pressures, the forum aims to provide a timely platform for meaningful exchange of ideas.

Suspected Somali Pirates Abandon Hijacked Iranian vessel after Naval pursuit.

Suspected Somali pirates have abandoned a hijacked Iranian-flagged dhow after being closely monitored and pressured by European naval forces for nearly a week, raising fresh concerns over piracy threats in the region. The fishing vessel, identified as Alwaseemi 786, was reportedly seized on March 24 while sailing about 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. Authorities said the dhow was likely intended to be used as a “mothership” to launch attacks on larger commercial vessels operating in nearby waters. Following the hijacking, the EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta deployed warships and surveillance assets to track the vessel. Naval forces repositioned units and used aerial monitoring to gather information about the situation onboard, maintaining a constant presence near the dhow.

TANKER WITH IRAQI CRUDE PASSES THROUGH HORMUZ AMID TIGHT CONTROL

An oil tanker carrying Iraqi crude has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a limited but notable movement in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping routes. The transit comes amid ongoing restrictions imposed by Iran following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The vessel reportedly sailed close to the Iranian coastline, taking a cautious route as it navigated through the heavily monitored waterway. This development follows Iran’s earlier announcement that Iraqi-linked shipments would be allowed to pass, while most other vessels remain subject to strict control. The tanker is believed to be linked to a Malaysian energy company and is among a small number of vessels granted clearance to cross the strait under specific arrangements. Reports indicate that several Malaysia-connected ships have received similar approval after diplomatic coordination. This suggests that access to the Strait of Hormuz is currently being managed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the vessel’s cargo, ownership, and political alignment. The selective passage highlights the evolving situation in the region, where traditional commercial shipping operations are being replaced by controlled and restricted movements.

IRAN ALLOWS IRAQI SHIPS IN HORMUZ WHILE OTHERS STILL RESTRICTED

Iran has announced that Iraqi vessels are now allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, even as strict controls remain in place for other ships. The statement came from Iran’s military, which described Iraq as exempt from the current shipping restrictions imposed in the area. The move is seen as a significant development, as Iraq is a major oil producer. Reports indicate that this decision could allow up to 3 million barrels of Iraqi oil per day to move through the strait, depending on whether ship operators are willing to take the risk of entering the area.

DMW Launches Reintegration Network and Job Fair for Repatriated OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), led by <b>Hans Leo J. Cacdac</b>, has launched the<b> “Bagong Pilipinas: Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa”</b> National Reintegration Network (NRN) and Job Fair to provide support for repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The initiative serves as a one-stop platform offering various services to returning OFWs and their families, particularly those affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis. Around <b>800</b> returning workers are expected to benefit from the program, which focuses on helping them transition back into the local workforce and community.

Regional forum on the effective implementation of the STCW Convention and Code

<b>Regional forum on the effective implementation of the STCW Convention and Code</b> Manila, Philippines ” The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Republic of the Philippines, successfully convened the Regional Forum on the Effective Implementation of the STCW Convention and Code from 17 to 19 February 2026 at Okada Manila. Held under the theme <b>Navigating Change: Regional Action on STCW Compliance,b> the three-day high-level gathering brought together maritime regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, training institutions, and international experts to address the evolving landscape of global seafarer education and certification. The forum forms part of the IMO ongoing comprehensive review of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended a strategic initiative to ensure that global standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping remain responsive to technological innovation, decarbonization imperatives, and the growing emphasis on the human element of maritime operations.

STCW Regional Forum Held in Manila, Graced by IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez

Paranaque City, Philippines The Regional Forum on the Effective <b>Implementation of the STCW Convention and Code</b> was held in Manila, graced by <b>Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)</b>, bringing together maritime leaders and stakeholders from across the region to advance discussions on the future of global seafarer training standards. During the high-level gathering, the IMO confirmed that <b>Phase 2</b> of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention will begin in the coming weeks. The next stage of the review will focus on specific amendments to ensure the Convention remains responsive to the accelerating transformation of the maritime sector particularly in areas such as decarbonization, artificial intelligence, automation, and expanded digital systems onboard ships.

Seafarers’ Welfare Center

Good News: Filipino Seafarers’ New Seafarers’ Welfare Center Launch in MOA Area I MARINO PH A major milestone for the Philippine maritime sector was marked with the Grand Launch of the Seafarers’ Welfare Center held on 13 February 2026 at Monarch ParkSuites, Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Parañaque City (MOA Area).

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a navigation and safety tool used on ships to share real-time information such as vessel position, speed, course, and identity. It helps ships avoid collisions and allows authorities to monitor traffic at sea.

Understanding Ship Squat in Shallow Waters

Squat Effect The squat effect is a hydrodynamic phenomenon that occurs when a ship moves through shallow or restricted waters, causing the vessel to sink deeper into the water than its normal draft. When a ship is underway, water flows around and beneath the hull. In shallow water, the space between the seabed and the ship’s bottom becomes limited. Because of this restricted space, the water flowing under the hull speeds up. According to fluid principles, when water velocity increases, pressure decreases.

Characteristic of Cardinal Marks

Cardinal marks are navigational buoys used to indicate the safe side of a hazard such as rocks, shoals, or wrecks. They guide vessels by showing where the safest water lies in relation to the mark using the four main compass directions: North, East, South, and West. A North Cardinal Mark indicates that safe water is found to the north of the buoy. Its top mark consists of two black cones both pointing upward. The buoy color is black on the upper part and yellow on the lower part. At night, it shows a continuous quick flashing or very quick flashing white light. An East Cardinal Mark shows that the safest water is to the east of the mark. Its top mark has two black cones pointing away from each other (one pointing up and the other pointing down). The buoy has a black–yellow–black color pattern, and the light characteristic is three quick flashes of white light repeated regularly.

Pilot Ladder Parts

Pilot Ladder Parts A pilot ladder is composed of rubber steps (usually the bottom four), wooden steps, spreaders (also called preventer steps), step fixing pieces, and ropes.