M/V Lite Ferry 19, A new and faster RORO-passenger ship of Lite Shipping Corporation
A new and faster RORO-passenger ship is set to be part of Lite Ferries’ growing fleet of ships.
Newly renovated M/V LITE FERRY 19, the twin sister ship of Lite Ferry 18, will be launched on Monday, March 25, 2019, at the Port of Cebu City.
President and Chief Executive Officer Lucio E. Lim, Jr. said the ship is intended to improve their existing Cebu to Ormoc route. At the same time, it is part of Lite Ferries’ efforts to contribute to the modernization of the country’s shipping industry.
“This is in answer to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to modernize the Philippine domestic fleet. By the end of the year, 50 percent of our fleet will be either brand new or 20 years below upon acquisition,” Lim said.
Built in 2002, M/V LITE FERRY 19 is the youngest ship to ply the Cebu-Ormoc route. It is also the fastest vessel to date on this route with a travel time of four and a half hours.
The vessel is equipped with two brand-new Ningbo diesel engines (built in 2017), with a total power of 7,800 HP. It has a maximum speed of 16.8 knots and service speed of 15 knots.
A ceremonial ribbon cutting is scheduled during the launch aboard the M/V LITE FERRY 19 on Monday. Several guests are expected to grace the occasion including Senator Vicente Sotto III, Senate President; Uesc. Renato Ebarle of DOLE; Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez;; and a representative from MARINA Region Office 7 Director Engr. Marc Anthony Pascua.
Leading the launching ceremony is Lite Ferries President and CEO Lucio E. Lim, Jr., together with COO Fernando A. Inting, VP for Ship Management Jonathan Lim-Imboy, Assistant Manager for Operations Jethro Lim-Imboy, and other members of the Lite Ferries management.
M/V LITE FERRY 19 will soon be covering the regular schedule of Cebu City to Ormoc City daily at 11:00 a.m., and from Ormoc City to Cebu City daily at 11:00 p.m.
M/V Lite Ferry 19 interior-designed accommodations with hotel-like features and amenities.
M/V LITE FERRY 19 boasts of interior-designed accommodations with hotel-like features and amenities including a fullyair-conditioned 40-seater restaurant, a fully stocked canteen that will be open overnight, an information desk, and multi-purpose kiosk.
It has two economy passenger decks including tourist class, business class, and four executive cabin rooms that can accommodate a total of 856 passengers. Its deck pathways have bigger spaces than MARINA standards and its facilities are compliant with international maritime standards.
With a gross tonnage of 3,881 tons, the vessel is 92 meters long and 17 meters wide coastwise type, RORO-passenger ferry acquired from China. It is now locally classed but undergoing transfer of classification to IACS Class.
More Vessels Coming
Lite Ferries continues to improve its existing fleet by acquiring more vessels
Expected to arrive in the 3rd quarter of 2019 are two brand new IACS classed RORO-passenger ferries, namely the Lite Ferry 5 and the Lite Ferry 9.
The Lite Ferry 5 has a GRT of 2,895 tons and two units of Weichai main engines with a total horsepower of 3,800HP, a service speed of 14 knots, with a capacity of 500 passengers and 23 trucks for cargo. It is classed by IACS-member RINA of Italy).
On the other hand, Lite Ferry 9 has a GRT of 1,666 tons, with two units of Weichai main engines and total horsepower of 2,500 HP, a service speed of 12 knots, and a passenger capacity of 400 and cargo capacity of 17 trucks. It is classed by Bureau Veritas of France.
Both are scheduled to be deployed this year.
At present, Lite Ferries operates a total of 25 RORO-passenger ships in Visayas and Northern Mindanao. These vessels connect the islands of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, Samar, Leyte, and Northern Mindanao with a total of 22 destinations.
It is fully compliant with the International Safety Management Code (ISM) as established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and MARINA. Lite Ferries is also currently undergoing ISO certification for its operations.
Lite Ferries’ main ticketing office is located at the Lite Ferries Corporate Building, Lite Port Center, M.J. Cuenco Ave., Barangay Tejero, Cebu City. For booking and inquiries, you may visit our website at www.liteferries.com.ph.
Blessing and Launching of M/V Lite Ferry 19
