THE first-ever Flag State and Shipbuilders Convention and Expo will be hosted by the Philippines in February 2023.

The Flag State and Shipbuilders Convention and Expo: Maritime Philippines 2023 will gather the world’s leading ship registries at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila on Feb. 16 to 17, 2023.

For many years now, Manila has been a favorite venue for international conferences, most notably in the shipping and transportation sector. This has successfully created awareness of the issues these conferences focused on.

Event organizer Rachelle Lopez of the WMOC Group of Companies said the Flag State and Shipbuilders Convention is a favorable opportunity to raise critical maritime issues to gather traction for the new government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to respond and push for the country’s maritime development.

President Marcos, who showed a good grasp and appreciation of maritime issues, declared during the presidential campaign his favor of developing the Philippines as a major shipping hub.

It also exhibits the country’s vast maritime potential as an engine of economic development.

Notable speakers from some of the biggest Flag States like Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Hongkong and Singapore will be sharing their experiences and success stories that helped propel their countries’ reputations among shipowners and ship managers around the globe.

Participants will be given the rare opportunity to learn and understand the requirements to have a vessel registered in a flag state, and how to comply with all maritime rules as stipulated by the Flag State and international maritime rules.

Flag state refers to the jurisdiction exercised by a state or country “whose flag the ship flies.” Countries where vessels are registered or licensed are considered as the nationality of the vessel.

Lopez said, “Our participants will understand that for a country to be a flag state, it has to have the necessary maritime infrastructure, financial capacity, and compliance to the regulations established by the International Maritime Organization.”

The event also allows participants to have a first-hand look at what flag states can offer especially with the heightened focus of the European Maritime Safety Agency on all seafarers onboard European-owned ships.

“We are happy to announce that Manila, the vibrant and modern capital city of the Philippines, is hosting a very timely and important conference and exhibition focusing on Flag State, Ship Registry, and the promising future of shipbuilding in the Philippines,” Lopez said.

Lopez said that the conference will also be holding a simultaneous exhibition and forum that will present the Ship Building and Ship Repair (SBSR) industry of the Philippines.

The event will present the current situation and the future of SBSR in the country with both private stakeholders and investors and representatives from the government presenting their agenda and plans for a robust industry that will fuel the country’s dream to be a shipping and logistics hub in the globe.

Lopez hopes that the two-day event can position the country’s manpower, facilities and policies to support a robust international maritime and waterfront industry.

“The Philippines is truly a land of great opportunity. We believe, therefore, that it is time for all the players and stakeholders to meet with investors, policymakers and international developers to share insights and ideas as well as exchange information on matters and issues of mutual interest” she added.