By
Elizabeth Robinson |
The Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) has revealed the details of its sixth annual international student design competition for the design of a safe and affordable ferry.
The association is looking for designs for a passenger vessel to carry passengers the Pasig River in Metropolitan Manila in the Philippines which has a total population of 24 million.
The city of Manila itself is considered one of the most densely populated cities and like many other modern cities Metro Manila is rediscovering its river for passenger transport. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) currently oversees the operation of a passenger service on the Pasig River and is planning a major new upgrade in coordination with effective efforts to clean the river.
The MMDA is calling for a fleet of 50-passenger vessels that would land at 12 stops along the Pasig River.
Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) has helped devise the specifications for the student competition. “Our hope for this competition is to bring attention to the need and opportunity for designing and operating safe and efficient ferries to help the people of our nation to travel in comfort,” said Mary Ann Pastrana, executive vice president of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation.
“Once again we present a challenging set of specifications and await students’ creativity to developing innovative solutions,” said Roberta Weisbrod, executive director of the WFSA. “We believe the competition will encourage students to understand that their design choices will have profound effects on people’s lives.”
The conference will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 February 2019.