MARINA: MT Princess Empress lacked CPC to sail

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) insists that the MT Princess Empress should not have sailed as it did not have a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

This statement comes after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) presented a CPC, claiming it was validated by MARINA.

MARINA spokesperson Sharon de Chavez-Aledo clarified that while the company possesses a valid CPC, the MT Princess Empress vessel itself had not yet been added to the company's CPC.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo stated that the Coast Guard permitted the vessel to sail based on the CPC submitted by the owner, RDC Reield Marine Services, on February 27, 2023.

The PCG relied on this submitted document, which included MARINA's decision to allow the amendment to add the ship to the company's fleet, to allow the vessel to sail.