3 ship firms, school reap honors in 1st MASTERS

CEBU, Philippines - Three shipping companies and a school in Cebu received awards in the first ever MASTERS (Marina Awards for Safe Travel, Excellent and Responsible Service) Awards given by the Maritime Industry Authority at the Casino Español de Cebu the other night.

Multi-awarded shipping company Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. added another feather on its cap after it bagged three of four awards during the regional round of the first ever Masters Award given by the Maritime Industry Authority.

“I am very happy with these new awards,” said Chester Cokaliong, President and chief operating officer of the shipping company. He hopes that the firm would make it in the national competition.

Cokaliong’s MV Filipinas Cebu was adjudged 2008 Vessel of the Year in Region VII for its record of zero involvement in maritime accidents and for having a well-maintained vessel. This reputation of the vessel reportedly has a big impact on the economic activity in the routes that it serves.

The ship’s captain, Sabiniano Fuderanan, received the 2008 Master of the Year, his first award in his 30 years as master mariner.

“Nalipay ko sa akong award. Pasalamat ko nga nakadawat ko ani,” Fuderanan, who has been the ship captain for Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. for the past 15 years.

Cokaliong Shipping also received the 2008 Coastwise Domestic Shipping Company of the Year, the first company to be given the award.

Meanwhile, Roble Shipping Inc., which owns six domestic passenger vessels, was awarded as the 2008 Ferry Domestic Shipping Company of the Year for Region VII.

Jose Emery Roble, president and chief executive officer of RSI, said the new award for his company is a manifestation of their strong commitment to provide safety travel to their passengers.

Tsuneshi Heavy Equipment (Cebu) Inc., was awarded the Large Shipbuilder/Ship repairer of the Year while the University of Cebu - Maritime Education and Training Center was awarded Maritime Training Center of the Year.

The other awardees include Fortune Shipworks Inc. as Small/Medium Shipbuilder of the Year and Lusterio Boat Maker as Boatbuilder of the Year.

Marina Regional Director Glenn Cabanez said that the award was launched in order to promote safety and efficiency in maritime travel among maritime stakeholders and to show that Marina is not only quick in imposing penalties to violators of maritime laws. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO