Maritime Industry Authority

What Maritime Industry Authority does

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is the Philippine government agency tasked with regulating and developing the country's maritime industry, operating under the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It holds exclusive jurisdiction over seafarer certification (SIRB, SRB, SID), domestic and overseas shipping regulation, franchising, shipyard oversight, maritime training institution accreditation, and STCW compliance for Filipino seafarers. The agency serves multiple stakeholder segments: Filipino seafarers (domestic and overseas), shipping companies, manning agencies, maritime training institutions, shipyards, harbor pilots, and port users. Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan currently leads the agency.

MARINA operates a digital services ecosystem built on multiple interconnected platforms: the Maritime Industry Single Window Operations (MISMO) for online appointments, the Maritime Electronic Certification, Authentication and Verification (MeCAV) system, the SID/SRB Online Appointment System (OAS), the MARINA Business Electronic Services for Stakeholders (MARINA BEST) platform, and the National Electronic Database (NEDB) for seafarer records. These platforms are supported by a nationwide distribution network of 14+ offices including the Manila headquarters, regional offices across all major Philippine island groups, and satellite offices at POEA and PITX. The agency is certified to WCAG 2.0/ISO 40500 accessibility standards.

MARINA generates revenue through government regulatory fees for maritime documentation processing, including SID/SRB applications, though specific fee amounts are not publicly disclosed. As a government state entity, its funding is supplemented by Philippine government appropriations. The agency coordinates with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and pursues international partnerships (e.g., Belgium) and environmental initiatives (GloFouling Partnerships) to advance global maritime standards compliance and green shipping transformation.

Name

Maritime Industry Authority

Legal name

Maritime Industry Authority

Website

https://marina.gov.ph

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is the Philippine government agency under the Department of Transportation that regulates the maritime industry by issuing seafarer certifications, overseeing shipping operations, accrediting training institutions, and enforcing STCW compliance through a nationwide network of 14+ offices and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

Keywords

• Maritime regulatory services
• Seafarer certification
• Shipping regulation
• Vessel registration
• Maritime safety oversight

Headquarters

HQ city

New Manila

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Regulatory Fees: MARINA generates revenue through processing fees for maritime documentation services including Seafarer Identity Book (SIRB), Seafarer Record Book (SRB), and Seafarer Identity Document (SID). Fees for SRB/SID applications are non-refundable and non-transferable as stated in official guidelines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MARINA is the Philippine government agency attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that regulates the country's maritime industry. It issues seafarer certifications, registers and documents vessels, oversees maritime safety standards, and accredits maritime training institutions across the Philippines. It also supervises the development of the domestic shipping fleet and coordinates maritime emergency response for boatmen.

Product overview

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is a Philippine government agency regulating the maritime industry. It operates multiple digital platforms including SID/SRB OAS for seafarer document processing, MISMO for online appointments, NEDB for database services, and MARINA BEST for stakeholder services. The agency provides regulatory services through divisions like Maritime Safety Service, Domestic Shipping Service, Overseas Shipping Service, and Manpower Development Service. MARINA also manages the STCW Administration Office for seafarer certification and maintains the Approved Maritime Training Institutions directory. These interconnected systems form a comprehensive digital governance ecosystem for Philippine maritime administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MARINA OAS (Online Appointment System): Online appointment system for Seafarer's Identity Document and Seafarer's Record Book
• MISMO
• SID/SRB Verification Portal
• MeCAV

Products and services

• Seafarer Certification and Endorsement Issuance of certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency, and seafarer identification documents required for Filipino seafarers to serve on board Philippine- and foreign-flag vessels. Delivered through the MISMO and MARINA BEST platforms in coordination with MARINA offices.
• Vessel Registration and Documentation Registration, documentation, and inspection services for Philippine-flag vessels, including issuance of certificates of vessel registry, safety construction and equipment certificates, and minimum manning documents. Available to shipowners and operators through MARINA offices.
• Maritime Training Institution Accreditation Accreditation and supervision of maritime training institutions in the Philippines, including approval of STCW-compliant training programs, periodic reaccreditation audits, and oversight of cadet on-board training arrangements.
• Maritime Safety Oversight and Inspection Conduct of maritime safety inspections, issuance of safety-related certificates, investigation of maritime incidents, and supervision of compliance with national and international maritime safety conventions.
• Online Appointment System (OAS) Online scheduling platform that allows seafarers, shipowners, and other maritime clients to book appointments at MARINA offices for certification, registration, and other regulatory transactions, reducing in-office waiting times.
• MeCAV Certificate Authentication and Verification System for authenticating and verifying MARINA-issued seafarer certificates used by foreign employers, manning agencies, and port state authorities to confirm credentials presented by Filipino seafarers.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BelgiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Philippines and Belgium deepen maritime partnership to advance green shipping, digital innovation, and industry growth. The partnership commemorates 80 years of diplomatic relations and focuses on sustainable shipping practices and maritime digitalization. Led by MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilippines is a candidate for IMO Council Category C for 2026-2027 biennium. MARINA coordinates with IMO on global maritime standards, biofouling management, and international conventions including STCW compliance. The Philippines has been a member state of IMO.
• GloFouling PartnershipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMO GloFouling Partnerships project focuses on managing biofouling to minimize transfer of invasive aquatic species. MARINA serves as a Lead Partnering Country, supporting implementation of IMO Biofouling Guidelines. Collaboration includes recreational boating surveys and training courses.
• World Maritime UniversityminorOthersInternational maritime academic institution supporting maritime education and research development for the Philippines.
• International Maritime Law InstituteminorOthersIMO-affiliated institution specializing in maritime law education and training for legal professionals in the maritime sector.
• Department of Transportation (DOTr)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARINA operates under the Department of Transportation as a government agency. DOTr provides overarching policy direction and coordination for the maritime sector.
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint memoranda and coordination on maritime safety, enforcement, and regulatory compliance. PCG handles maritime safety enforcement while MARINA handles regulatory oversight.
• Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination on port operations, maritime safety, and infrastructure development for Philippine ports.
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint memoranda on maritime higher education standards, curriculum development, and accreditation of maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs).
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination on professional licensing examinations including the Harbor Pilots Licensure Examination administered by MARINA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): UK's maritime regulatory and coastguard authority with mature digital certification systems. Comparable to MARINA in regulatory function, though operating with significantly greater resources and a more established flag state framework.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): Singapore's national maritime regulator overseeing port operations, shipping, and seafarer standards. MPA is a directly comparable maritime regulatory authority operating in the same Asian context, though with broader port-operating scope and deeper digital infrastructure than MARINA.
• Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA): Norway's national maritime regulator with advanced digital seafarer documentation and green shipping leadership. Comparable to MARINA in regulatory scope, particularly relevant given MARINA's stated green shipping transition focus.
• Danish Maritime Authority (DMA): Denmark's national maritime regulator recognized globally for digital service delivery and maritime standards compliance. Comparable to MARINA in function, though operating from a more established Nordic regulatory tradition.

Direct peers

• Panama Maritime Authority (AMP): Panama's flag state administrator regulating vessel registration, seafarer certification, and shipping compliance. AMP is comparable as a national maritime regulator serving one of the world's largest ship registries, similar in function to MARINA's oversight of Philippine-flagged vessels.
• Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR): Administers the Liberian ship registry, one of the world's largest open registries, providing maritime regulatory and certification services. Directly comparable to MARINA's role as a flag state administrator serving internationally deployed seafarers.
• Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator (IRI): Administers the world's third-largest ship registry from the Marshall Islands, providing flag state services including seafarer certification oversight. Directly comparable to MARINA in regulatory scope over a major seafarer-supplying flag state.
• Directorate General of Shipping, India (DGS): India's national maritime regulatory authority handling seafarer certification, shipping oversight, and maritime training accreditation. Directly comparable to MARINA as a South Asian maritime regulator serving a major seafarer workforce.
• Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA): National maritime regulator of the Bahamas overseeing ship registration and seafarer certification. Directly comparable to MARINA in scope as a flag state administrator for internationally deployed maritime personnel.

Others

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): United Nations specialized agency that sets global maritime safety, security, and environmental standards. Related to MARINA as the international body whose conventions (STCW, SOLAS) MARINA implements domestically, rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DOTrMARINAPH
• YouTubebit.ly/2sDwpkB
• Facebookfacebook.com/DOTrMARINAPH
• Instagraminstagram.com/dotrmarinaph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maritime-industry-authority-marina-dotc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maritime Industry Authority