PAL’s Mabuhay Maritime Ferry Service to Kalibo-Boracay

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MV Magalang. Photo Credit: Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA

Posted By: Vicky Viray-Mendoza 16-Nov-2018

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is venturing into the maritime sector, and will soon launch a ferry service between Kalibo and Boracay. Tourists coming from Kalibo, Aklan will soon have a more plush and comfortable option of travel to the world-famous Boracay Island. The concept of the ferry service was disclosed to the media on October 23, just a few days before Boracay is to be reopened to the public on October 26. PAL has yet to announce a specific date for the start of its ferry operations. But Jaime Bautista, PAL President and COO, said the ferry service might be launched for operation sometime in December.

In particular, it is the Mabuhay Maritime Express (MME), a subsidiary of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) that is launching the Kalibo-Boracay ferry service. Travel time of only 1.5 hours, down from the usual 2.5 hours by shuttle and boat, is expected to attract more travelers.

“This is the first time that PAL is venturing into maritime business,” PAL president and COO, Jaime Bautista, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Bautista said that PAL chose Kalibo because the Kalibo International Airport is where tourists from China, Japan, and Korea arrive and depart, compared to the smaller Caticlan Airport in Boracay.

The ferry service will complement existing PAL flights, in particular, the international flights, to Kalibo International Airport. “We aim to offer travelers a seamless air to sea transfer, taking passengers to their favorite tourist destinations as fast and as comfortable as possible,” Jaime Bautista added.

Currently, PAL has two catamaran vessels — the MV Malambing and MV Magalang. The Lucio Tan Group built a private MME Jetty Port, less than 10 minutes away from the Kalibo International Airport. The two 410-seater catamaran vessels will then ferry passengers to Cagban Jetty Port in Boracay.

The two catamaran vessels were designed by Netherlands-based BV Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem and built by Damen Shipyards in Singapore, and were delivered to PAL in April this year. PAL executives, including its chairman, Lucio Tan, tested the two catamarans.

If PAL’s ferry service would be successful and “click” with the public, PAL may add other routes. “We will think about the next routes, if there would be any, depending on the demand. Probably we’d have the next route in Cebu,” Bautista told the PNA.

“It took about two years to plan the new offering,” Bautista added. This is understandable because ferry service is a new sector for PAL.

The vessels have 3 seating sections – first class, premium class, and regular class. First class and premium class have reclining seats, while regular class lets passengers choose group seating arrangements.

There are also several wall outlets for premium and regular passengers to use, while first class seats have a special USB port-charging feature.

Aside from the ferry’s modern facilities, PAL said quality service could be expected from the ferry attendants.

However, the ferry service does not come cheap. Round-trip fares cost as much as P2,500 for first class, P2,000 for premium class, and P1,500 for regular class seats. The fares exclude value-added tax and other government fees.

References

  • Arayata, Ma. Cristina. PAL Goes Maritime, PTV News; PNA, 23-October-2018.
  • Rey, Aika. PAL’s Mabuhay Maritime to offer Kalibo-Boracay Ferry Service, Rappler, 23-October-2018.

About the Author

Vicky Viray-Mendoza
Executive Editor, MARITIME REVIEW. Special interest in Marine Environment. Retired World Bank Group Operations Evaluation Analyst. Specializes in operations research, evaluation, and analysis. Education: Currently taking her Masters in U.S. Law (American Military University, VA); Masters in Public Administration (George Washington University, D.C.); Masters in Business Administration (University of Maryland, MD); Post-Masters Certificate in International Finance and Global Markets (Georgetown University, D.C.). BSC Management; BSC Accounting (Assumption College, San Lorenzo, Makati); Assumption Convent High School (San Lorenzo, Makati); St. Theresa's College, Cebu, Grade School.