THE Philippines’ premier maritime exhibition and conference series, Beacon 2026, will gather government leaders, industry executives, international investors, and maritime professionals from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City. Organized by the nonprofit foundation The Maritime League Inc. — led by its Chairman and President, VAdm.
Eduardo Ma. R. Santos AFP (Ret.) — the event’s acronym stands for the Blue Economy Annual Trade & Conference. Centered on this year’s core theme, “Empowering Maritime Excellence: Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy,” the three-day platform is designed to unite shipbuilding, ship repair, domestic shipping, logistics, seafaring, and marine engineering under one cohesive national strategy.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino will serve as the guest of honor during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 29. He leads a distinguished lineup of key leaders and diplomatic figures, including Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Adm. Ronnie Hilban, Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Kose Marie Ambrosio, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and Sen. Bam Aquino, alongside Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Dita Andaranathai, who will be the guest of honor for the evening networking reception.
Strategic cross-sector collaborations serve as the backbone of Beacon 2026, bridging government agencies, defense forces, and private enterprise. The event features key partnerships with major government stakeholders, including the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Board of Investments (BOI).
A crucial highlight is the participation of leading domestic transport and logistics operator 2GO, alongside major industry supporter One Maritime Group (OMG), led by Chairman Engr. Samuel Lim. Bringing together its diverse network of member associations across shipbuilding, classification, shipping operations, and maritime services, OMG joins forces with maritime institutions to drive vessel safety, modern supply chain efficiency, green fleet transformation, and hands-on sea training programs for the workforce.
Central to the event’s workforce development initiative is the Beaconers Maritime Job Fair, hosted alongside the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The fair serves as a direct bridge linking Filipino seafarers, marine engineers, and logistics workers with top domestic and international employers.
Beyond employment, the gathering at SMX Convention Center offers an expansive series of specialized forums, including the MSI Second Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Convention, the third Korea–Philippines Marine Mobility Forum featuring 30 Korean engineering firms, the Phil Shipcon Conference, One Maritime Group (OMG) 360-degree vessel safety session, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Sixth Marine Environment Protection Forum, and the presentation of the “Best Chief Superintendent of the Year” award. Fellowship and closing activities will extend through Thursday, Oct. 1, to help attendees, exhibitors, and investors finalize cross-sector partnerships.
Organizers led by Blanka Joy Bustamante urge exhibitors and stakeholders to register early and reserve seats for executive networking breakfasts through the official website at www.
thebeaconexpo.com or by emailing info@maritimeleague.com. CIH
