A significant milestone for the local shipbuilding officer.
Last Thursday, January 15, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the naming and delivery ceremony of the world’s first methanol dual-fueled bulk carrier.
The said rites were held at the West Cebu Estate in Balamban, Cebu, with the President christening the KAMSARMAX Vessel SC-443 with the name Brave Pioneer, which measures 229 meters and has about 81,200 deadweight tons (DWT).
“I name this ship Brave Pioneer. May God bless her and all who sail on her,” Marcos said.
He also regarded it as a significant moment for the local shipbuilding industry and told, “This achievement sends a clear message to the whole world: The Philippines is ready to lead in the global transition towards low-carbon and sustainable maritime transport.”
The KAMSARMAX SC-443 was launched on July 17, 2025 by Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. (THI), a joint venture between the Japanese firm Tsuneishi Group and the Philippines’ Aboitiz Group.
The Brave Pioneer is designed to significantly reduce emission of carbon dioxide by 10 percent, nitrogen oxides by 80 percent, and sulfur oxides by 99 percent compared to conventional models.
It is a dual-fueled vessel equipped with engines and fuel systems that allow it to run on methanol and conventional marine fuel.
The President noted on the collaboration, “While this project is a product of bilateral cooperation, it is also, and very importantly, a showcase of Filipino craftsmanship, ingenuity, and competitiveness,” adding that it brought together advanced ship design, skilled Filipino labor, and a robust domestic manufacturing base.
Marcos also noted the delivery of the pioneering vessel places the country as a “future-ready maritime manufacturing hub” aligned with the International Maritime Organization decarbonization targets and global sustainability standards.
“It is especially vital as we move towards green shipping: an approach that embraces cleaner fuels, optimized vessel design, improved energy management, and sustainable shipping corridors,” he said.
PBBM furthered, “Green vessels also open doors to sustainability-linked loans, green bonds, and climate finance, bringing new investment into our shipbuilding sector.”
As of November 2025, the Philippines has over 130 registered shipyards nationwide, employing over 11,000 workers. The year ptior, in 2024, the country constructed 484 vessels, ranging from fishing boats to passenger and cargo ships.
“These only prove that this industry is vibrant, dynamic, and growing,” President Marcos noted.
In line with those, the President said the administration remains fully committed to strengthening the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, citing the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law—which provides both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage modernization, adoption of low-carbon technologies, and higher-value manufacturing—as an example.
“May the delivery of this methanol-fueled KAMSARMAX vessel stand as a symbol of what we can achieve when innovation meets purpose,” and emphasized how the continued investment in green technology will shape the Philippines into a future-ready maritime hub.
