CEBU, Philippines — Shipping operators in Cebu announced the creation of Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association Inc. (PCSA) in a bid to strengthen the domestic shipping industry.
Chaired by Lucio E. Lim, Jr., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Lite Shipping Corporation, the newly organized association is composed of members formerly from the group of the Philippine RORO Operators Association (PROA), Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Ship-owners Operators (VAFCSO) and United Trampers Association of the Philippines (UTAP).
PCSA aims to further strengthen its advocacy in the development of a robust domestic shipping industry through mutually beneficial government and private sector cooperation.
With this merger, PCSA is now the largest shipping association in the Philippines in terms of membership as well as total gross tonnage of ships combined.
In a statement Lim said that the association’s purpose is primarily to unify and organize ship owners and ship operators in the country for the promotion of a viable public policy framework that will accelerate the modernization and development of the domestic shipping industry. Most importantly, PCSA is to promote among its members responsible ship ownership and adherence to the accepted standards of safety and service in domestic shipping operations.
The association recently appointed an administrator and secretariat based in Cebu City to handle its membership, internal and external relationships, industry concerns and further promote its advocacy.
PCSA named as their Chairman Emeritus the former president, Hon. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has gracefully accepted the nomination.
The members voted Arroyo, attributing to her unwavering support to the local shipping industry when she authored the establishment of The Strong Republic RORO Nautical Highway. Further, she will administer the Induction of its Board of Trustees and Officers on 16 August 2019.
The group elected Paul Rodriguez of Super Shuttle Ferry as president, Benson Go of Seensam Shipping as Vice-president for cargo shipping, Vicente Montenegro, Jr. of Montenegro Shipping as Vice-president for passenger shipping, Mr. Pio Serafin W. Fulache of Medallion Shipping as treasurer and Ms. Teresa C. Abad of 2GO Group as corporate secretary.
Board of trustees include; Lim, Rodriguez, Vicente Montenegro, Jr., Alexander Cohon of Lapu-Lapu Shipping Lines, and Arthur Kenneth Sy of Trans Asia Shipping, Jose Emery Roble of Roble Shipping : Teresa Abad, Pio Serafin Fulache and Benson Go.
The organization was officially created on June 11, 2019 at the Casino Español de Cebu.