By Dandan A. Bantugan
Tagbilaran City – An inter-island shipping company will deploy a ferry that can shuttle between Cebu City and Bohol in just 70 minutes.
The Cordova Inter-Island Shipping Lines, Inc. will start a new route between Cebu City and Clarin, Bohol.
Horyel Alejandro, administrative director of Evercat Asia, Inc., said the firm was tapped by the shipping line to build a vessel that can accommodate 130 people.
Alejandro said the vessel which will be made of fiber-reinforced plastic and is scheduled to be turned over to the shipping company this May.
He described the vessel as a modern banca that can carry passengers and even motorcycles.
It has a maximum speed of 18 knots.
Made of lightweight material, the boat was designed to be economically efficient even as fuel prices rise.
Alejandro also assured that the seacraft is safe and environmentally friendly.
He said the shipping line’s initiative to build the vessel was to comply with a circular from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) phasing out boats with wooden hulls.