IMP SHIPYARD LAUNCHED IN LEYTE
PROMISING an opportunity for economic activity and strengthening the country’s bid to develop its Ship Building Ship Repair (SBSR) industry, IMP Shipyard and Port Services Inc. was launched on February 23 in Albuera, Leyte.
IMP Shipyard hinged its operation in the province to help uplift the lives of people in coastal communities by providing jobs in a safe and efficient environment.
In his speech, IMP Shipyard president Capt. Gaudencio Morales said the company will provide “a safe, efficient, and environment-friendly shipbuilding and ship repair facility to enhance the blue economy of our country.”
IMP also plans to construct a faction of an energy-efficient forry that will serve as part of the re-fleeting program of Metro Ferry Cebu, a domestic shipping company based in Cebu.
Recognizing the sea’s vital role in food security and coastal livelihoods, Morales said IMP Shipyard plans to build fishing vessels and establish a fish port with refrigeration in Albuera, aiming to replicate this model in other coastal communities.
Sonia Malaluan, administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), expressed her appreciation for the efforts of IMP and Morales to contribute to improving the SBSR development of the government and in adding to the growing number of investors in the country focused on the shipbuilding and ship repair industry.
She said there were 124 registered and licensed shipbuilding companies in the country, which she called a “very significant improvement.”
Morales said IMP was aligned with the Road Map of the Maritime Industry Development Program (MIDP 2028).
IMP Shipyard is focused on five priority programs -- shipbuilding, ship repair, community empowerment, capacity building, and seafarers’ reintegration.
IMP also aims to design and build steel-hulled vessels 50 meters LOA and below in support of the Coastal and Inland Water Transport System (CIWTS) of the Marina and is committed to a fast turnaround of vessels for its repair services.
Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla said that he was very optimistic and happy with the sights of shipyards like IMP setting up in Leyte.
He added that investors like Morales and partners setting up a shipyard in Albuera will help in the development of the province still trying to get back on its feet after Super Typhoon Yolanda, the pandemic, the recent Gaza war and the Red Sea conflict.
“This shipyard certainly is good news for us,” he added.
Morales said IMP would provide significant employment opportunities for Filipinos, and in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, aims to capacitate returning seafarers for their upskilling and reskilling and providing for their potential business opportunities in the ancillary services of IMP Shipyard.
IMP Shipyard vowed to unceasingly implement development programs for the maritime industry, harness the potential of the maritime workforce in ship designs and construction to facilitate the modernization effort of the domestic shipping industry. It is the first shipbuilding and repair facility registered by the Board of Investment (BO) under Tier I of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) under RA 11534 or the “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act” or “Create.”
IMP Shipyard also plans to expand in other strategic locations to accommodate and service bigger vessels and possibly an area for a ship-breaking and hip recycling facility to support the ship retirement and replacement program of the government and encourage prospective investors or domestic shipowners for a possible collaboration.
IMP Shipyard was established in 2019 with an initial project investment cost of P500 million and is expected to fully operate in mid-2024 with a total capacity of 10 berths to accommodate two ships for construction and eight ship repair services.