MARINO PH
Your Maritime Digital Hub
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and MARINO PH formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday at the DMW Central Office, establishing a digital partnership aimed at strengthening information sharing and enhancing support for Filipino seafarers around the world.
The engine valve is a critical component of an internal combustion engine, responsible for controlling the flow of gases into and out of the combustion chamber. The intake valve opens to allow the air-fuel mixture (or fresh air in diesel engines) to enter the cylinder, while the exhaust valve opens to release the burned gases after combustion. By opening and closing at precisely timed intervals, these valves ensure efficient engine breathing, proper combustion, and optimal engine performance.
RWE Agrees to $1.22 Billion Deal to Surrender U.S. Offshore Wind Leases
German energy company RWE has reached a $1.22 billion agreement with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to surrender three offshore wind energy leases located off the coasts of New York, Louisiana, and California. The projects were still in the early stages of development and had not yet entered construction. The agreement marks one of the largest offshore wind lease settlements announced by the U.S. government. According to RWE, the decision was made after the company faced permitting challenges and an uncertain regulatory environment that affected the progress of the projects. Company officials said there was no clear pathway to advance the offshore wind developments under the current conditions. As a result, RWE decided to discontinue the projects and shift its investment strategy in the United States. Under the agreement, RWE will redirect approximately $1.22 billion toward other energy investments. Around $900 million will be invested in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Louisiana, while approximately $300 million will support the development of gas turbine equipment for power generation. The company stated that these investments are expected to provide a more predictable regulatory framework and support future energy supply.
MARINO PH Continues to Strengthen Its Presence as a Leading Maritime Platform
MARINO PH continues to establish itself as one of the Philippines’ leading maritime digital platforms, serving as a trusted source of maritime news, education, industry updates, career opportunities, and community engagement for Filipino seafarers and aspiring maritime professionals. Through its growing online presence, MARINO PH connects the maritime community by delivering timely and relevant information that supports professional development and promotes awareness of important issues affecting the shipping industry. The platform regularly publishes breaking maritime news, educational infographics, interviews with industry leaders, event coverage, regulatory updates, and informative content on international conventions, maritime safety, and career advancement. It also highlights achievements of Filipino seafarers, maritime institutions, training centers, and government agencies, helping recognize excellence within the industry.
NTSB: Personal Phone Call Contributed to Fatal Houston Ship Channel Collision
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that a prolonged personal phone conversation by a Houston ship pilot contributed to the fatal collision between the bulk carrier Yangze 7 and the towing vessel Miss Peggy in the Houston Ship Channel on July 19, 2024. The investigation found that the pilot’s distraction, combined with failures by both vessels’ bridge teams to maintain proper lookouts, led to the tragic accident. According to the NTSB, the pilot directing the 656-foot Yangze 7 remained on a non-operational personal cell phone call for approximately 39 minutes before the collision. Although the conversation ended just over two minutes before impact, investigators concluded that it caused the pilot to lose situational awareness and delayed recognition of the towing vessel ahead. The bridge team aboard Yangze 7 also failed to intervene despite observing the pilot’s extended personal conversation while issuing helm orders.
Shipping Industry Sees Major Obstacles to Iran’s Proposed Hormuz Control Plan
The global shipping industry is expressing serious concerns over a proposal that could grant Iran greater authority over vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes. According to industry reports, the proposal, reportedly involving cooperation between Iran and Oman, would require ships navigating the strategic waterway to comply with a new transit framework. However, maritime stakeholders warn that the plan faces significant legal, financial, and operational challenges that could complicate international shipping rather than improve navigation.
In the maritime industry, ship visits are often associated with inspections, audits, and operational reviews. Sometimes, however, the most meaningful part of stepping onboard is not checking procedures but reconnecting with the people who live and work at sea. That was exactly the spirit behind VMSC personnel’s recent visit to M/V CNC PILIPINAS, one of the CMA CGM vessels manned entirely by Filipino seafarers. The visit provided an opportunity to spend time with the crew, observe their workplace firsthand, and gain a deeper understanding of the realities of life at sea. Walking through the bridge, engine room, accommodation, and deck areas gave the shore team a renewed appreciation of the professionalism, discipline, and teamwork required to safely operate a container vessel.
As the global maritime industry continues to demand highly competent professionals and reliable crew management, Virtue Maritime Services Corp is positioning itself as a manning agency committed to delivering quality service, operational excellence, and comprehensive seafarer welfare. Guided by the principles of integrity, professionalism, and accountability, the company aims to build lasting relationships with both its principals and its crew by providing dependable recruitment and crewing solutions that meet international standards. With a forward-looking approach and a strong commitment to continuous improvement, Virtue Maritime Services Corp seeks to become a trusted partner for the global shipping industry while creating sustainable career opportunities for Filipino seafarers.
The University of the Visayas (UV) successfully held the 108th Maritime Recognition Rites, celebrating the achievements of the College of Maritime Education Class of 2026. The ceremony honored the graduates for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment throughout their academic journey as they reached an important milestone toward becoming future maritime professionals. Faculty members, university officials, families, and guests gathered to recognize the hard work of the graduating class and to celebrate the beginning of their transition from the classroom to the global maritime industry.
Batch Maraliyag Marks Milestone at AIMS 55th Commencement Exercises and Recognition Day
The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) successfully held its 55th Commencement Exercises and Recognition Day, celebrating the achievements of Batch Maraliyag as they reached another important milestone in their maritime education. The event honoured the dedication, perseverance, and hard work of the students as they prepare for careers in the maritime industry.
Welding positions are standardized techniques that determine the orientation of the workpiece and the direction in which welding is performed. The infographic highlights the eight common welding positions used in fabrication, construction, and shipbuilding: Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead, Rotating, Fixed, Fixed (Pipe), and Inclined. Each position requires different levels of skill, body positioning, and control to produce strong, high-quality welds while maintaining safety and efficiency.
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) CODE
The Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code is part of the SOLAS Convention. It provides detailed requirements for the design, construction, performance, and maintenance of life-saving equipment carried on board ships, such as lifeboats, life jackets, liferafts, and distress signals. Every seafarer should be familiar with these appliances to ensure a safe and effective response during emergencies.
Celestial navigation is the practice of determining a vessel\'s position by observing the locations of celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. For centuries, mariners have relied on this traditional method by measuring the altitude of these bodies above the horizon using a sextant. In modern Navigation 4, celestial navigation remains an essential skill, providing a reliable backup method for position fixing and helping seafarers better understand the relationship between the Earth, the sky, and safe navigation. Celestial bodies continue to serve as natural guides, especially when electronic navigation systems are unavailable.
The image is an educational infographic about the right-angled triangle, highlighting its basic properties and the three primary trigonometric ratios: SOH, CAH, and TOA. It explains that a right-angled triangle has one angle measuring exactly 90 degrees, with the longest side called the hypotenuse and the other two sides identified as the opposite and adjacent depending on the reference angle. The clean layout and labeled diagrams make it easy to understand the relationship between the sides of the triangle. The infographic introduces the mnemonic SOH, which stands for Sine = Opposite ÷ Hypotenuse. A labeled right triangle demonstrates how the opposite side and the hypotenuse are used to calculate the sine of an angle. This visual approach helps learners remember the formula while understanding how each side is positioned relative to the given angle.
