The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) lauded on Monday, April 24, the launching of a new roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferry by a pioneer shipping company in the Visayas which is expected to boost the maritime tourism in Cebu and Bohol.
 

(Photo courtesy of Lite Shipping Corporation)

Lite Shipping Corporation launched the MV Lite Ferry Seven in Tagbilaran City last April 22 to provide more access to shipping services between the provinces of Cebu and Bohol as well as nearby areas.

Marina Administrator lawyer Hernani Fabia highlighted the significance of the event which marks a “major milestone” in Tagbilaran City’s continued growth as a tourist destination in Bohol.

"The Marina, through the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP), is determined to build a strong foundation and create more catalysts for the development of maritime tourism in the Philippines," Fabia said.

The new ro-ro ferry has a length of 72 meters and registered 2,450 gross tons. It has a capacity of 300 passengers, 18 ten-wheeler trucks, and 10 cars. 

The vessel was built in China and completed in 2022. It features standard and tourist accommodations classed by RINA certification (Registro Italiano Navale /Italian Naval Register) of Italy.

With Lite Shipping Corporation’s fleet expansion, Marina has granted a pioneering status to MV Lite Ferry Seven in the Oslob, Cebu to Dapitan City and Dipolog City routes.

The Marina said that the launching of the new ro-ro ferry is part of Lite Shipping Corporation's re-fleeting program over the past decade, which includes almost half of the fleet acquired brand new and one-fourth of the fleet below 20 years of age upon acquisition.

Lite Shipping Corporation, which pioneered the establishment and promotion of various routes across the Visayas-Mindanao, operates in 32 destinations that bridge the provinces of Sorsogon, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte as part of the “Strong Republic Nautical Highway” or the Philippine nautical highway system.

“MARINA's continued support for the development of maritime tourism in the Philippines is expected to bolster Lite Shipping Corporation's efforts in connecting the island of Bohol to the rest of the country,” Fabia said.