Japan International Cooperation Agency News

Officials from Japan and the Philippines on Monday virtually attended the launching ceremony of the 94-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) at the shipyard of the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Japan.The ceremony was attended by Koshikawa Kazuhiko, the Japanese ambassador in Manila, the Philippines' Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral George Villareal Ursabia, Jr.Ambassador Koshikawa conveyed his wish that the MRRV will play a vital role in maritime law enforcement and marine environment in the Philippines…

Sri Lanks will invest a sum of US$ 190 million to installs gantry cairns and also add other infrastructure to the East Container Terminal, said Sagala Ratnayaka, the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development.He said Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) would initially invest this amount and then get it reimbursed from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  under a loan agreement.Ratnayaka said that the passenger terminal in the Colombo Harbour too would be developed. “We want this passenger terminal to be in par with the Singapore Cruse terminal to attract vessels that would pick up and drop passengers in Colombo.”He said…

The Government of India signed a loan deal worth USD 76 million with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for a project to upgrade the environment management plan at Alang-Sosiya ship recycling yards. The total cost of the project will be $ 111 million, out of which $76 million will be provided as soft loan from JICA. Out of the remaining amount, $25 million as taxes and fees will be borne by Government of Gujarat and the balance $10 million will be shared by Ministry of Shipping & Government of Gujarat. The project will be executed by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and is likely to be completed by 2022. This project will help the Alang-Sosia ship-recycling yards to comply with international safety & environmental regulations.

Kenya on Saturday inaugurated the first part of a new container terminal at Mombasa which is expected to boost by 50 percent the volume of cargo handled by East Africa's largest seaport. Construction of the 30 billion shilling ($296.74 million)terminal began in March 2012 and was completed in February this year. The project was financed by a loan from Japan through the Japan International cooperation agency (JICA), and Kenya will repay the loan over a 40-year period. A gateway to East and Central Africa, the Indian Ocean port funnels imports of fuel and consumer goods as well as exports of tea and coffee from landlocked neighbours such as Uganda and Rwanda.

Cai Mep-Thi Vai international port in the coastal southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau inaugurated. The construction of the port, an international gateway, was funded with 12.9 trillion VND (US$ 620-billion) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is expected to ease the strain on other ports in Ho Chi Minh City and also to improve trade links among south-eastern provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and representatives of the Japanese embassy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)…

The Philippines is ideally positioned in the Asia-Pacific region to repair ocean-going & fishing vessels according to a Japanese study. The report was contained in a study on the ship building and ship repair industry of the Philippines conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Nomura Research Institute as part of the ongoing formulation of industry roadmaps by the [Philippine] Department of Trade and Industry reports the Manila Bulletin. Based on the study, the Philippines has the right ingredients to become a ship repair hub with strengths that include an inland sea, bay and deep seashore, abundant labor and legalized fiscal incentives.

Dr Hideo Nishida of the Japan Hydrographic Association wins the UKHO’s annual Alexander Dalrymple Award for his outstanding contribution to hydrography. Dr Nishida has had a long and illustrious career with the Japan Coastguard, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japan Hydrographic & Oceanographic Department (JHOD). In particular, his work in reaction to natural disasters, during the tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan on 11 March 2011, was commended. The speedy and professional response of JHOD…

Moffatt & Nichol announced that it has recently signed a contract with the Bulgarian Ports and Infrastructure Company for detailed design of two new container terminals at the Black Sea ports of Varna and Bourgas in the Republic of Bulgaria. In a joint venture with Japanese consulting firm Oriental Consultants, Moffatt & Nichol will be responsible for the detailed design, tender assistance, and construction supervision for the two new container terminals. This project will be managed through the firm’s London office. The project, which has been financed by a $410m loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to last 80 months. Local engineering and design support will be provided by Bulgarian sub-consultants.

Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will finance a study to rehabilitate and upgrade the Black Sea port of Constanta, Transport Ministry officials said. The study will assess existing port facilities, predict harbor traffic patterns for the next 20 years, diagnose the port's IT system, and assess the impact of port activity on the environment. Constanta can handle around 85 million tons of goods per year, port officials said, adding that approximately 40 million tons were handled last year. Analysts believe Constanta could act as a hub for goods coming from North Africa, the Far East and the Middle East and consigned to central and eastern European markets.

According to reports, a modern domestic shipbuilding facility will soon rise in this premier Freeport zone. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Feliciano Salonga, in a meeting with National Maritime Leasing Corp. president Agustin Bengzon, said the facility would create a synergy aimed at supplying the needs of the domestic shipping industry. Salonga said the partnership and mutual cooperation of SBMA and National Maritime Leasing, a subsidiary of National Development Co., would focus on the acquisition of affordable but more efficient cargo and passenger ships by local shipping operators. Shipbuilding has been included in the government’s Investment Priority Plan.