Shipping companies may now provide services in three newly-opened roll-on-roll-off missionary routes in Cebu.
These are among the 19 missionary routes that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has opened as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the Road RoRo Terminal System (RRTS), a seamless stretch of roads and ports to improve inter-island transportation, enhance tourism, and expand regional markets, among others.
The new routes in Cebu are:
Oslob, Cebu – Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
Punta Engano, Mactan Island, Cebu – Jetafe, Bohol
Poro, Camotes, Cebu – Isabel, Leyte
In a statement issued on February 6, 2019, MARINA encouraged shipping companies to serve these new missionary routes.
“The shipping company (that) will serve a missionary route may enjoy protection of investment for five years and 50% discount on the regular fees of all applications and renewal of ship documents, licenses, certificates, and permits,” the agency stated.
A RoRo missionary route involves one or more direct links covering two RoRo-capable ports that have no existing shipping service due to geographic limitation and/or absence of market viability.
Four other RoRo missionary routes have been opened in the Visayas:
Maasin, Southern Leyte – Ubay, Bohol
Calbayog City, Samar – Cataingan, Masbate
Cuyo, Palawan – San Jose de Buenavista, Antique
Siaton, Negros Oriental – Dipolog City
The 12 other missionary routes that were opened across the country are the following:
Basco, Batanes – Currimao, Ilocos Norte
Batangas City – San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
San Juan, Batangas – Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro
Real, Quezon – Polillo Island, Quezon
Lucena, Quezon – Odiongan, Romblon
Lucena, Quezon - Buyabod, Marinduque
Lucena, Quezon – Romblon, Romblon
Lucena, Quezon – Masbate City
San Narciso, Quezon – San Pascual, Masbate
Pantao, Albay – San Pascual, Masbate
Taytay, Palawan – Cuyo, Palawan
Lipata, Surigao del Norte – Dapa, Surigao del Norte
MARINA also encourages shipping companies to propose new links with RoRo-capable ports as part of efforts to develop a nautical highway in the country. (Ventures Cebu)
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