Negros Navigation, Montenegro forge alliance 

NEGROS Navigation, one of the leading shipping lines in the country, has recently orged an alliance with Montenegro Lines. The signing of the alliance was done in lolilo City recently.

Representing Negros Navigation were Jose Manuel Mapa, executive vice president and his assistant Angelito Salvio; Jonas Gargajena, branch manager for Iloilo branch and Grace Golez, branch manager for Bacolod.

While Nesty Velasquez and Aries Patolot, special projects and marketing events and promotions chiefs, respectively, represented Montenegro Lines.

Their alliance is aimed at giving traveling passengers from Panay and Negros to Cuyo and Puerto Princesa in Palawan and vice versa economical, safe and reliable inter-island shipping services starting this month of June.

Both shipping companies will allow each other to share their marketing expertise in the shipping business.

NN is the expert on long routes while Montenegro has the expertise on roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) shipping.

In his statement, Mapa said, “We are combining the leadership of Montenegro Lines and Negros Navigation through this alliance.”

Salvio, on the other hand, added, “This is the start of more cooperative efforts between the two companies to link the islands under the Nautical Highway program
of the government.”

Also in a statement, Montenegro said the alliance is one big opportunity to boost Iloilo’s and Palawan’s business climate.

He said that while other existing lines take three days to reach Palawan, M/V Matilde of Montenegro Lines takes only 22 hours for only P984.

Travelers can now take the Iloilo-Puerto Princesa route via Montenegro Lines, which departs the Lapuz Pier every Saturday at 10 am.

While NN’s newly-refurbished San Paolo departs Fort San Pedro Pier every Wednesday at 9 am for Coron and Puerto Princesa.