MARINO PH
Your Maritime Digital Hub
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and MARINO PH formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday at the DMW Central Office, establishing a digital partnership aimed at strengthening information sharing and enhancing support for Filipino seafarers around the world.
Welding positions are standardized techniques that determine the orientation of the workpiece and the direction in which welding is performed. The infographic highlights the eight common welding positions used in fabrication, construction, and shipbuilding: Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead, Rotating, Fixed, Fixed (Pipe), and Inclined. Each position requires different levels of skill, body positioning, and control to produce strong, high-quality welds while maintaining safety and efficiency.
Six Saudi Tankers Reroute to Avoid Gulf of Aden Security Risks
Six Saudi-flagged supertankers changed their route in the Gulf of Aden after Yemen's Houthi movement threatened to target Saudi shipping. According to ship-tracking data released on August 3, the vessels are now sailing toward southern Africa instead of passing through the southern Red Sea. The tankers had already delivered their cargo in Asia and were traveling empty. Ship-tracking data from LSEG and MarineTraffic showed that the vessels were sailing together, avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. One of the ships, Dilam, was listed with Gibraltar as its destination.
How Iran is Widening Its Pressure Campaign to Force U.S. Concessions
Iran is reportedly broadening its regional pressure campaign by increasing strategic pressure on key maritime trade routes and energy infrastructure as part of its broader efforts to gain leverage in its ongoing dispute with the United States. Security analysts said Tehran appears to be relying on a strategy of calibrated escalation, aimed at increasing economic and security costs while avoiding a direct large-scale military confrontation. According to reports, Iran's approach extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz and includes efforts to influence maritime activity across other critical shipping corridors in the Middle East. The strategy is seen as an attempt to demonstrate its ability to disrupt regional trade and global energy flows, potentially strengthening its negotiating position in any future diplomatic discussions. The developments come as regional governments continue to enhance maritime security measures to protect commercial shipping and critical infrastructure. International shipping companies and naval forces remain on heightened alert amid concerns that prolonged instability could increase risks to merchant vessels operating in the region.
Trump Says U.S. Controls Strait of Hormuz as Iran Denies Direct Negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has control over the Strait of Hormuz and described ongoing diplomatic efforts as Iran's "last chance" to reach an agreement that could help reduce tensions in the region. He expressed confidence that negotiations could lead to improved stability and the reopening of normal maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. Iran, however, rejected claims that it is engaged in direct talks with the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said there are currently no direct negotiations with Washington, clarifying that discussions are instead being held with Oman regarding temporary maritime arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Five Dead, 41 Missing After Fire Engulfs Indonesian Passenger Ferry
At least five people have been confirmed dead and 41 others remain missing after a fire broke out aboard the Indonesian passenger ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 while sailing from Surabaya, East Java, to Makassar, South Sulawesi, on 2 August 2026. The incident occurred off the coast of Madura Island, prompting Indonesian authorities to launch an extensive search and rescue operation. The ferry was carrying a total of 271 people, consisting of 232 passengers and 39 crew members, when the fire erupted during the voyage. Thick smoke and flames quickly spread across the vessel, forcing many passengers to wear life jackets and jump into the sea in an effort to escape. Emergency services received the distress alert shortly after the fire was reported.
In the maritime industry, ship visits are often associated with inspections, audits, and operational reviews. Sometimes, the most meaningful part of stepping onboard isn\'t checking procedures—it\'s reconnecting with the people who live and work at sea. That was exactly the spirit behind VMSC personnel’s recent visit to M/V CNC PILIPINAS, one of the CMA CGM vessels manned by all Filipino seafarers. It was an opportunity to spend time with the crew, see their workplace firsthand, and understand the realities of life on board. Walking through the bridge, engine room, accommodation, and deck areas gave the shore team a renewed appreciation of the professionalism, discipline, and teamwork required to safely operate a container vessel.
As the global maritime industry continues to demand highly competent professionals and reliable crew management, Virtue Maritime Services Corp is positioning itself as a manning agency committed to delivering quality service, operational excellence, and comprehensive seafarer welfare. Guided by the principles of integrity, professionalism, and accountability, the company aims to build lasting relationships with both its principals and its crew by providing dependable recruitment and crewing solutions that meet international standards. With a forward-looking approach and a strong commitment to continuous improvement, Virtue Maritime Services Corp seeks to become a trusted partner for the global shipping industry while creating sustainable career opportunities for Filipino seafarers.
The University of the Visayas (UV) successfully held the 108th Maritime Recognition Rites, celebrating the achievements of the College of Maritime Education Class of 2026. The ceremony honored the graduates for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment throughout their academic journey as they reached an important milestone toward becoming future maritime professionals. Faculty members, university officials, families, and guests gathered to recognize the hard work of the graduating class and to celebrate the beginning of their transition from the classroom to the global maritime industry.
Batch Maraliyag Marks Milestone at AIMS 55th Commencement Exercises and Recognition Day
The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) successfully held its 55th Commencement Exercises and Recognition Day, celebrating the achievements of Batch Maraliyag as they reached another important milestone in their maritime education. The event honoured the dedication, perseverance, and hard work of the students as they prepare for careers in the maritime industry.
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) CODE
The Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code is part of the SOLAS Convention. It provides detailed requirements for the design, construction, performance, and maintenance of life-saving equipment carried on board ships, such as lifeboats, life jackets, liferafts, and distress signals. Every seafarer should be familiar with these appliances to ensure a safe and effective response during emergencies.
Celestial navigation is the practice of determining a vessel\'s position by observing the locations of celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. For centuries, mariners have relied on this traditional method by measuring the altitude of these bodies above the horizon using a sextant. In modern Navigation 4, celestial navigation remains an essential skill, providing a reliable backup method for position fixing and helping seafarers better understand the relationship between the Earth, the sky, and safe navigation. Celestial bodies continue to serve as natural guides, especially when electronic navigation systems are unavailable.
The image is an educational infographic about the right-angled triangle, highlighting its basic properties and the three primary trigonometric ratios: SOH, CAH, and TOA. It explains that a right-angled triangle has one angle measuring exactly 90 degrees, with the longest side called the hypotenuse and the other two sides identified as the opposite and adjacent depending on the reference angle. The clean layout and labeled diagrams make it easy to understand the relationship between the sides of the triangle. The infographic introduces the mnemonic SOH, which stands for Sine = Opposite ÷ Hypotenuse. A labeled right triangle demonstrates how the opposite side and the hypotenuse are used to calculate the sine of an angle. This visual approach helps learners remember the formula while understanding how each side is positioned relative to the given angle.
Many people use the terms GPS and GNSS interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite navigation system developed by the United States, while GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the general term for all global satellite navigation systems, including GPS, Russia\'s GLONASS, Europe\'s Galileo, and China\'s BeiDou.
