CEBU-BASED shipping company Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. announced the acquisition of a 2001-built vessel to boost the inter-island connectivity of Visayas and Mindanao.
The company recently bought M/V “Feelease Soya,” a roll-on-roll-off (roro) passenger vessel for 700 million yen (excluding duties, taxes and renovation), said Chester Cokaliong, founder, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Cokaliong Shipping Lines.
“This newest vessel is the biggest in our current fleet. She is scheduled to arrive in November 2019. She will be the 14th roro-passenger vessel,” said Cokaliong.
M/V “Feelease Soya” was built in April 2001 and had its homeport in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The 18-year-old vessel has an overall length of 95.70 meters and breadth of 15 meters. It has a gross tonnage of 3,551.
Powered by two units of Daihatsu 3,200 PS for its main engines and two units of Daihatsu 600 PS for its auxiliary engines, M/V “Feelease Soya”, is classed under the Italy-based Registro Italiano Navale (Rina), a member of the International Association of Classification Societies.
Cokaliong’s recent vessel acquisition comes on the back of the booming trade and tourism activities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
He said the growth in the number of vessels signifies the company’s commitment to spur economic growth in the island provinces, and facilitate in the influx of tourists to island destinations.
According to Cokaliong, shipping provides low-cost transportation. More importantly, it facilitates in the seamless movement of goods, ultimately boosting domestic production and consumption even in far flung areas.
Cokaliong, however, said they have yet to determine the route of M/V “Feelease Soya” because as soon as it arrives in Cebu City, it will undergo some renovations. He identified Ozamis and Surigao cities, though, as probable routes to be served by the new vessel.
The addition of MV “Feelease Soya” is expected to generate additional employment of 50 officers and crew members. Cokaliong Shipping now boasts of over 800 employees, including apprentices.