Groups question 'vague' advisory on LCT vessels

Groups question 'vague' advisory on LCT vessels
February 26, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/26/business/maritime/groups-question...

THE Philippine maritime industry is facing significant disruption as concerns mount over the operation of Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels, compounded by the recent issuance of a Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Advisory 2025-01.

The Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA) has called for the immediate suspension of the advisory, citing substantial deviations from the approved version and potential safety and competitive issues.

This development comes on the heels of a prior warning from the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA) and the Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) regarding the "alarming operation of LCT barges" in direct competition with liner operators.
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PISA and PLSA raise alarm over LCT practices

In a letter dated March 31, 2023, addressed to the Marina Board, PISA and PLSA highlighted the problematic operations of LCT barges acting as cargo liner operators, carrying rolling cargoes with passengers without the necessary Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

The associations pointed out that these LCTs were operating in various key routes, including Batangas-Calapan, Mindoro-Caticlan, Cebu-Bohol, Matnog-Allen, and Liloan-Lipata.

The letter emphasized critical safety concerns, noting that these LCTs often carried 60-90 passengers without adequate accommodations, raising questions about compliance with Marina safety management policies, safe manning levels, ship construction, safety equipment, and pollution prevention. The associations also referenced a recent passenger vessel fire in Basilan, underscoring the need for stringent safety regulations.

PISA and PLSA argued that there are sufficient RoRo passenger vessels servicing these routes and that the LCT operations circumvent Marina policies, particularly those prohibiting the conversion of LCT barges into passenger RoRo vessels. They also pointed out the unfair competition these LCTs pose to legitimate operators who have invested heavily in IACS-classed vessels.

"We wish to emphasize that 70% of the revenues of these RoRo passenger vessels are from rolling cargoes like trucks, which are unjustly and illegally served by these LCT barges," the letter stated, noting a decline in the importation of brand new IACS-classed vessels due to this "very ruinous competition."

The associations requested Marina to issue a Moratorium Order on the issuance of CPC/SP to LCT barges carrying passengers, pending an investigation into the matter.