Direct RORO service connecting Surigao and Sorsogon commences
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, (PIA) -- A new and historic direct roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry service officially commenced on June 12, providing a vital, direct connection between Surigao City in Mindanao and Bulan, Sorsogon, in Luzon.
This much-anticipated service is set to transform inter-island logistics by offering a crucial alternative for RORO transport, bypassing the increasingly challenging route through Samar and Leyte, particularly the load limitations at San Juanico Bridge.
Port Manager Froilan Caturla of the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao, as well as Lipata Terminal Manager Allan Yap personally witnessed the arrival of MV 1018, watched her first docking maneuver and inspected the ship’s facilities and amenities alongside Seen Sam Shipping Inc.’s Operations Manager Edwin Bordaje
MV 1018 is a newly built landing craft transport (LCT) vessel owned and operated by Seen Sam Shipping Inc., a Cebu-based company. Fresh from the shipyards of Zhejiang Zhenxing Shipbuilding Company in China, the MV 1018's inaugural journey from Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City to the Port of Bulan in Sorsogon marked a significant milestone. It is the first purely RORO service to directly link Mindanao and Luzon, thereby circumventing a major segment of the Philippine eastern nautical highway and offering a more efficient and direct route for goods and passengers.
According to Bordaje, "The MV 1018 is a seven-lane LCT vessel. It boasts an impressive length overall (LOA) of 85 meters and a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 2,024 metric tons. The vessel is capable of accommodating 37 10-wheeler trucks and five 6-wheeler vehicles, addressing a critical need for efficient cargo transport across the archipelago."
"With an estimated sailing time of around 21 hours, this direct ferry service is anticipated to be a game-changer," he added. "To enhance the travel experience for essential personnel, truck drivers and their helpers will be provided with complimentary accommodation in air-conditioned sleeping quarters, designed to offer comfort similar to tourist or cabin facilities found on commercial passenger vessels. Meals (lunch and dinner) and morning coffee are also included, since the voyage starts at 5:00 AM."
He also shared the freight charges for the new service begin at P18,000 for a 6-wheeler Bongo. Other notable rates include P30,000 for 6-wheeler Canter, elf, and forward trucks; P44,000 for 20-footer trailer trucks; and P115,000 for trailer trucks loaded with heavy equipment. A comprehensive freight matrix is available for all cargo types.
While the MV 1018 currently serves as the sole vessel on this pivotal direct route, Seen Sam Shipping Inc. plans to bolster its service offerings in the near future. A new vessel, the MV 1070, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, promising increased capacity and frequency for this vital new logistical artery. (PPA- PMO Surigao/ PIA- Surigao del Norte)
