Mindanaotoday.com | Marina-10 opens 3 new sea routes
By: URIEL QUILINGUING
Three new missionary routes that would link Misamis Oriental to seven seaports are open for shipping firms to serve, a Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) official said Thursday, June 29.
Marina-10 Regional Director Annabell Lagas announced the approval of three sea routes in a post-Seafarers’ Day forum at SM Uptown, Cagayan de Oro that day.
Lagas said Governor Peter Unabia proposed five new sea routes, but two of these do not have seaports for roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) vessels, hence only three got the nod.
The new missionary routes are: Jasaan, Misamis Oriental to Guinsiliban, Benoni, and Balbagon ports in Camiguin; Balingoan, Misamis Oriental to Jagna, Tagbilaran, and Tubigon ports in Bohol; and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental to Maasin port in Southern Leyte.
Opening of missionary routes, she said, are now decided at the regional level.
These type of sea lanes provide “one or more direct points connecting ports that have no existing shipping services due to geographic limitation or absence of market viability.
RoRo vessels are primarily cargo ships that may be loaded with vehicles, goods, and people.
Lagas said they would issue authority to acquire vessels through importation by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 104 which seeks to implement the policy of the government to liberalize vessel acquisitions.
These vessels, she said, should not be more than 20 years old.
They will then issue a letter of approval to the shipping company to start operations on its proposed route while undergoing the process of acquiring its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).
Upon granting of the CPC, shipping firms “enjoy protection of investment for five years and 50-percent discount on regular fees of all applications and renewal of ship documents, licenses, certificates, and permits.
The last time Marina opened missionary routes was four years ago.
In March 2019, Marina opened 27 missionary routes for application of shipping firms. These included Loay, Bohol to Cagayan de Oro; Lipata, Surigao del Norte to Dapa, Surigao del Norte; and Siaton, Negros Oriental to Dipolog City. (30)
###