Government intervention sought: Shipbuilding skills drain worsens

A shipbuilding firm in Balamban reiterates its call for the government to address the worsening skills drain problem that hit the shipbuilding industry for the last two years.

FBMA Marine Inc., an Aboitiz-owned shipbuilding plant, has already lost about 110 welders, fabricators, marine electronic engineers, among others to a shipbuilding firm in Australia since 2005.

In a press conference held during the launching of the newly completed vessel, “Pentalina”, FBMA marketing manager Craig Patrick said there is a need for the government to intervene in the draining skills problem in the shipbuilding industry here, in order to sustain the Philippine’s potential as one of the world’s finest shipbuilders.

“We hope that the government will support us in making programs to keep the workers here, because this is a long term industry and the potential is great,” Patrick said.

It is for this reason that FBMA has set up its own training center inside the plant in Balamban to sustain the availability of skilled workers to work for the increasing vessel orders, majority of which are from the United Kingdom.

FBMA assistant vice president for human resource Geraldine Polanco-Onganon said there is also a need for the government to strictly implement the Executive Order (EO) 588 entitled “Strengthening the Philippine shipbuilding and ship repair sector and instituting measures to promote its growth and development.”

Although Onganon said the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency (POEA) have been helping FBMA through implementing the EO 588, the industry is needing more effective programs to keep workers here, at least complete their contracts in the Philippines.

What is important is for employees to finish the contract with a shipbuilding company like FBMA, so that operations will not be affected, specifically if throngs of workers are leaving for overseas contracts.

FBMA has completed its 23rd vessel the hull 1025 catamaran ordered by Pentland Ferries in Scotland. The vessel is set to be delivered to the United Kingdom next month.

According to Patrick the Philippines shipbuilding industry has a very good future, while demand or orders from different countries especially in UK are coming in, but government intervention in implementing sound and effective programs to keep the shipbuilders here is a very important issue to be addressed immediately.

The vessel was ordered by Pentland Ferries in Scotland last February 2007, which FBMA finished in just 15 months.

Made from the craftsmanship of Cebuano shipbuilders, “Pentalina” is a 70m car and passenger ferry that will serve as a commercial vessel that will link the north Scotland to the island of Orkney.

Designed to pass the strict regulations of United Kingdom for ship operations, Pentalina can carry to a maximum of 350 passengers, up to 58 cars, and nine trucks, with 15 knots speed.

FBMA has spent about US$10 million to US$15 million to build the world-class vessel.

The company is now working on three more vessels which are to be exported to England and New Caledonia with deliveries spanning until 2009.

FBMA is operating at the West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban. It has a total of 500 workers.

The first vessel constructed by FBMA was a 50-knots 45-meter Tricat for the Hong Kong-Macau route.

It has delivered 22 vessels to different countries since 1997, such as Europe, United States, Australia, and some parts of Asia.