Shipping firm enters Cebu, new markets

BATANGAS - based Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. (MSLI), a domestic transportation company, will ply the Cebu-Iloilo route starting next week to ferry passengers and cargoes and compete with Cebu-grown shipping companies.

Aries Patolot, MSLI marketing manager, said they plan to tap the market of passengers headed for Palawan, which they plan to ply, along with Cagayan de Oro, Bohol and Leyte, within the year.

Despite the problems expressed by shipping companies due to rising fuel costs and the decline in passenger traffic due to competitive airline rates, Patolot is still confident that the business will pick up.

"Hindi talaga makakapantay sa rates that shipping companies are giving" he said in a press conference yesterday (Airline companies could not compete with the rates that shipping companies are giving).

He added that even if airlines offer fare rates of P999, passengers still pay taxes.

The company will also compete with shipping lines dominating the industry, like Cokaliong and TransAsia, through the promotion of lower fare rates and faster travel time.

Aside from big shipping companies, Patolot said the inter-island vessels are expected to compete with pump boat operators in different municipalities.

Safety

However, they will bank on the passenger's safe travel to lure customers. "We offer safety (to the passengers)," he said.

The 30-year old MSLI has a fleet of 31, which includes 24 roll-on roll-off vessels, six fast crafts and a tug boat, which calls on 18 ports in the Southern Tagalog region, covering Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao.

On June 6, MV Maria Matilde, which has a capacity of 831 passengers, seven trucks and 10 private cars, will have its maiden vogage from Cebu City's Pier 3 to Iloilo.

The vessel will soon sail to Cuyo and Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Patolot said the company decided to set up trips in Cebu only now since it is a strategic link to different areas.

To decide on future destinations, Patolot said they will consider if it could link them to other ports along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway of President Arroyo.