Domestic Shipping

Come ride the floating bus … Sakay na!

Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI) began as a family-owned and managed business that has grown from a lone 14- seater jeepney business called Ceres Liner plying a single route, to a conglomerate of transportation companies with a combined number of 4,000 transport vehicles nation wide. The company pioneered inter-modal services between Negros, Cebu, Mindanao, Leyte, Panay, and Luzon. It also pioneered inter-modal transport services…





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PPA upgrades crane operation in gateway ports

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is improving the cargo handling capacity of three gateway ports in preparation for the expected influx of cargoes from its Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) neighbors brought about by the implementation of the Asean Economic Community at the end of the year. PPA said the existing crane capacity of the three ports are not…


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ICTSI Laguna dry port expands facilities for containers

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) dry port unit, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal (LGICT), recently broke ground to start the expansion of new facilities which include extended and dedicated storage areas for loaded and empty containers, a runway for rubber tired gantries (RTG), container care facilities, weigh bridges at the gates and an upgraded access road, as it primes…


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MARINA turns 41

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently celebrated its 41st founding anniversary on June 1, 2015 with simple and modest activities at its central office in Manila, and in all its regional offices. Administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. (PhD) who was on an overseas maritime conference, earlier sent words of thanks to industry stakeholders who have been a big help…


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Philippine Coast Guard celebrates 111th Founding Anniversary

A revitalized Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), an agency bestowed with substantial responsibilities as a multi-mission maritime agency tasked to promote safety of life and property at sea, protect the marine environment, enforce maritime laws, and conduct maritime security operations celebrates its 111th Founding Anniversary.


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Ro-Ro link between Phil and Indonesia pushed

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is pushing for the Philippines-Indonesia Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) as a prelude to the connectivity to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ro-Ro system starting next year. Marina said the connectivity will facilitate the seamless transport of cargo and passen­gers within the ASEAN economies. Initially, Marina and its Indonesian counter­part, the Indonesian Directorate General…


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DOTC bares P5 billion Infrastructure Plan

Department of Transportation and Communications secretary Man­uel Roxas II has unveiled a 5-year P565 billion infrastructure plan including the continuation of the controversial North Rail project. Speaking before a briefing organized by the Makati Business Club recently, Roxas said the project is aimed at providing reliable, safe, and affordable public transportation sys­tem nationwide. The projects, meanwhile, include the 11.7 km…


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Shape up to compete, Marina told domestic carriers

Local shipping industry will continue to lose from the airline industry unless services offered by vessel operators becomes at par with that of the airlines. In a Passenger Service Rating System (PSRS) conducted by the Mari­time Industry Authority (Marina) recommended that local liners need to shape up to compete with the domestic air carriers. Under the PSRS, vessel operators only…


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NMC, LSC forms JV for cargo-handling chores

Sister firms Lorenzo Shipping Corp. (LSC) and NMC Container Lines (NMC) have formed a joint venture to handle all the companies’ cargo handling chores nationwide. The JV, which will be named One Team Services, Inc., will be a 50-50 sharing agreement between the two Magsaysay-owned local cargo handling operators. “One Team Services, Inc. will develop competencies to eventually handle the…


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Nenaco buys new vessel dubbed as the biggest Fun Ship

Domestic shipping giant Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco) has purchased another vessel to further improve its fleet and maintain its lead over its nearest counterpart. The new vessel is also expected to increase the capacity of its passage sector as well as the capacity of its cargo sector wherein Nenaco is focusing at the moment. According to Nenaco chair Sulficio Tagud,…


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E-ticketing, booking system to start this summer

Government is set to impose a new ticketing system in its bid to promote maritime safety and zero accident before the start of the Summer Vacation. The move is consistent with the earlier pronouncement of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) advocating Zero Maritime accident which includes among others the promotion of passenger safety and security through the provision…


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Local carriers debunk monopoly with Nenaco’s acquisition of ATS

Local carriers expect no monopoly in the local shipping industry with the recent acquisition of Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) by Negros Navigation Co. (Nenaco). The two firms finally sealed the deal on December 28, 2010, or a month earlier than their mid-January target. The carriers claimed that the industry would remain level as the bulk of the country’s cargo traffic…


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Tanker operators wants deferment of Oil Pollution Compensation Act

Tanker operators as well as oil companies are seeking the deferment of the implementation of Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act until a new law is passed. The stakeholders, led by the Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (Philpesta), Association of Tankers Owners of the Philippines (Atophil), and the ‘big 3′ oil firms Shell, Chevron (Caltex) and Petron,…


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MARINA to review Domestic Shipping Development Act

Not satisfied with the slow-paced development of the domestic shipping industry three years after Republic Act 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) wants to review its implementing guidelines to streamline some aspects and make it more attractive to investors. It added that the review will not only involve certain provisions but will…