French firm OCEA renews commitment to build P1.5 billion shipyard in PH

French shipbuilder OCEA S.A. on Wednesday renewed its commitment as regards a P1.5 billion shipyard development in the Philippines, according to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

This was discussed in a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) Commemorative Summit in Brussels.

OCEA is a French firm leading in aluminum shipbuilding, specializing in the design, building and support of aluminium vessels.

It said the planned investment would create 500 to 600 direct and indirect jobs in the Philippines.

OCEA is looking to build 15 to 120-meter boats for several markets intended for maritime safety and security, transportation, and fisheries.

The OPS said the firm’s commitment was supported by the company’s letter of intent sent to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regarding the creation of OCEA Shipbuilding Philippines Inc.

OCEA said it had ongoing discussions with potential associates and partners in the Philippines.

It also identified several locations for the planned shipyard, which include Mariveles, Bataan; Batangas; Sual, Pangasinan; and Subic.

Meanwhile, the firm also has new contracts which were under negotiation to build vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA).

Marcos expressed gratitude to the firm’s commitment, saying that he hopes it could contribute in the training of potential Filipino seafarers.

“Our seafarers are very important to us, especially as we start to recover and the training ship is going to be critical for the continuing [training] because I keep hearing now about the new technologies,” Marcos said.

“And the training ship is very necessary so that they can get the proper credentials from whatever maritime academy they are attending, the potential seafarers. So that is going to be a big help," he added.

The French firm also offers four fields of activity including maritime safety and security, passenger transportation, multipurpose workboats and luxury motor yachts. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA Integrated News