More routes needed for VisMin, Marina board member says

More routes needed for VisMin, Marina board member says
March 21, 2018. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2018/03/20/more-routes-needed-vi...

A MEMBER of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Board has urged shipping operators and owners in the Visayas to deploy more vessels in various routes to provide the riding public with more choices.

Marina Board Member Samuel Lim was in Cebu to attend the soft opening of Lite Ferry 88, the newest roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ship of Lite Shipping Corp.

Lim said having more ships in a route can also reduce the cost of transporting goods and people.

“There are more things to be done in the maritime sector. We focus on the sustainability of our shipping industry. And we Filipinos know what is best for us,” Lim said.

He also praised Lite Shipping under its chief executive officer Lucio Lim Jr. for acquiring its 25th vessel that will ply between Cebu and Tubigon, Bohol to cater to residents and tourists of both provinces. “Looking at this new vessel (Lite Ferry 88), wow. Nice and dependable,” Lim said.

Tubigon’s municipal port is the second largest and busiest port in the province of Bohol. It is served by six vessels and two fast crafts with a total of 20 trips daily to Cebu City.

Lite Shipping Corp., operates a total fleet of 25 RoRo-passenger ferries in Visayas and Mindanao with 22 ports of call in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, Samar, Leyte and Northern Mindanao.

Lite Ferry 88 will will sail four times daily from Cebu to Tubigon. It will leave Pier 3 at 7 a.m, 1 p.m, 7 p.m and 1 a.m. It departs Tubigon port at 4 a.m, 10 a.m, 4 p.m, and 10 p.m.

More RoRo ports will be constructed this year, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). A report said the project would cost government at least P7 billion. (EOB)