2GO’S newest fleet addition, the mv 2GO Maligaya, is riding the waves of economic recovery by making sure that the flow of goods and people remains unhampered during these challenging times.
“The passenger liner is what links Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao together. During the time of the pandemic, 2GO operated because it is really important that essential goods like medicines will flow between the islands. 2GO played the key part in that —to sustain and to make sure that we have the passenger liners,” said Dan Fernan, vice president and head of sea solutions for 2GO Group Inc., during the maiden voyage arrival of mv 2GO Maligaya in Cebu on Monday, May 31, 2021.
Mv 2GO Maligaya is the 10th vessel of 2GO’s fleet.
“While we do operate smaller vessels, this type of ship is suited for the Philippines because of its speed coupled with its frequency where you can always deliver cargoes and it is reliable,” Fernan said.
Mv 2GO Maligaya has a passenger capacity of 800 with 225 rooms and more container capacity and is considered the “fastest, largest and the most state-of-the-art roll-on-roll-off passenger ship sailing in Philippine waters.”
With a top speed of 23.5 knots, travel time between Manila and Cebu is only 17 hours.
“It is not just the essential goods. You look at your fast-moving consumer goods. All the big brand names are riding with 2GO and are actually supplying Visayas and Mindanao and in turn, agriculture produce and canned goods all float back up to the National Capital Region,” he said.
2GO is now also a subsidiary of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), one of the largest and leading Philippine conglomerates with a huge business in marketing, retail, banking, real estate and now, shipping.
Fernan said the company is also taking strides towards modernization.
“Despite the pandemic, the business model is still sound. We have the trust and confidence in the investments SMIC will make to modernize (2GO), so we can continue to deliver better and consistent service. We didn’t take a gap, and we didn’t rest. (We) continue to modernize and improve,” Fernan said. (JOB)