THE Maritime Industry Authority’s (Marina) order to allow MV Princess of the South of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) to sail again is only for the preventive suspension.

The main case for cancellation of franchise stays.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Marina Administrator Maria Elena Bautista said the Marina Board will soon hear the main case and if the SLI will be found negligent, the shipping firm’s franchise will be
cancelled.

Victoriano Go of the SLI said they are confident they will be exonerated in the main case because mv Princess of the Stars sank during a typhoon.

The MV Princess of the Stars sank off Romblon at the height of typhoon Frank last year.

The Marina Board is composed of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Justice, Department of Finance, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Office of the President and two representatives from the shipping industry.

If this will happen, Bautista said, all the vessels of the SLI will be permanently barred from plying their routes. But if the SLI is cleared of any negligence, then their franchise will continue.

However, Bautista said any decision of the Marina Board can be elevated by the SLI to the Court of Appeals.

MV Princess of the South resumed operation last week when the Marina Board lifted its suspension order on SLI Roro-passenger vessels after it had complied with all the requirements.

Compliance

Six other SLI vessels are on dry dock, under repair and under inspection by Marina to determine its compliance with the requirements.

Bautista said the suspension of operation of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) following the sinking of MV SuperFerry 9 last Sept. 6 was lifted several days after the shipping firm complied with the safety requirements of their vessels.

Bautista said the suspension order against SLI could have been lifted last year had the shipping firm complied with the safety requirements.