By Rey Anthony Chiu | 01:39 PM March 02, 2025
Lite Ferries Corporation launches a brand-new 3,390 gross ton Roll-on Roll-off passenger class vessel that would replace its vessel serving the Cebu-Tagbilaran-Siquijor and Plaridel route promises reduced cargo rates and better inter-island travel between Visayas and Mindanao.
Lite Ferries Ten, which would replace Lite Ferries 11, would also be serving the route daily, unlike the older four times a week schedule, says Lite Shipping President Lucio E. Lim, during the blessing and inauguration of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) classed vessel with twice the cargo capacity of the older Lite Ferries 11.
Lite Ferries Ten can carry 20 ten-wheeler trucks and ten cars in her cargo hold, the new 72-meter vessel from China can also carry 500 passengers in tourist and non-tourist all lying accommodations.
At double the cargo capacity, Lim said by economies of scale, the cost of cargo can go down.
To continue serving one of the country’s oldest routes, Lite Ferries Ten would be reconnecting the Bohol roots imbedded in these areas in Mindanao, who would now be afforded comfortable, cheap travel in style as visiting tourist or homecoming son tracing roots here.
For Boholanos, the vessel would also be another venue to whet their deck and engine skills as Lite Ferries, which runs the tagline “ang Barkong Bol-anon,” has been accepting apprentices.
In 2024, of the about 5,000 job apprentices we accepted on board, around 90% of these were Boholano aspiring seamen, Lim said.
Marine Industry Authority Regional Director Annabell Lagas, during the launch hailed Lite Ferries commitment and passion for promoting safe services as the brand-new International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) classed vessel is safety assured and is a huge support for the country’s marine industry development plan under modernization.
As Lite Ferries play a crucial role in connecting islands and communities facilitating trade and development, they also assure continued growth and innovation in the maritime industry, she added.
Half of the vessels in Lite Ferries fleet serving 32 destinations across the country, are acquired brand-new while another quarter are aged from 20 years below, upon acquisition, in the last decade’s re-fleeting program, according to Lim.
During the vessel blessing, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, whose week schedule is highlighted by the opening of a new business process outsourcing company, the groundbreaking of SM supermall and the ferry launch said it completes the dream of helping the local economy in bringing about seamless transport by connecting Bohol to the world. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)
