With a world-class passenger and cargo vessel now plying the Visayas and Mindanao route, elevating the country's transportation system to global standard can be realized soon.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista made the statement this week during his inspection of the MV 2GO Maligaya vessel.
The passenger and cargo vessel is aligned with DOTr's focus in moving more passengers and goods, Bautista added.
Purchased in 2021 amid the pandemic, the MV 2GO Maligaya has a cargo capacity of 270 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and can accommodate 664 passengers.
To date, it is the fastest cargo vessel in the country with 17 hours of travel time from Manila to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
Built by Japanese shipbuilders, the MV 2GO Maligaya features integrated navigation and control system, an advance fire alarm system, and a bigger capacity.
Already, the local shipping sector is seeing increased volumes of goods to the Visayas and Mindanao regions in particular, while passenger numbers also increased significantly as movement restrictions were lifted.
The easing mobility restrictions have also boosted local tourism and local shippers are optimistic the momentum will be sustained in the second half of 2022.