The Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) has approved the application for membership of TMS Ship Agencies, Inc. and Petrolift, Inc.

The certificate of membership of TMS Ship Agencies, Inc. was presented by the FSA chairman,Carlos C. Salinas and FSA President Dario R. Alampay to Agapito Capistrano, the TMS Ship Agencies, Inc. representative on the occasion of the association’s first quarterly membership meeting held recently at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.

The certificate of membership of Petrolift, Inc. represented by Carlo Leonio will be presented on 31 August 2010 on the occasion of the association’s regular board meeting at the Casino Español.

Another applicant, Ventis Maritime Corp., is waiting for the approval of its application by the board of trustees.

Meanwhile, the FSA has objected to the proposed enactment of a Manila City ordinance which imposes a fee of P5,000.00 per day on every domestic or overseas vessel that would use the waters within the city of Manila.

In effect every entry into Manila will be charged a so called “water usage tax” and a vessel would be refused exit if the tax is not paid, said FSA.

The legality of the proposed ordinance is being questioned by both domestic and overseas shipowners, operators and agents.