RORO Passenger Ferries Deployed to Ease San Juanico Bridge Load
At least four roll-on, roll-off (RORO) passenger ferries capable of carrying cargo trucks have been deployed in Eastern Visayas. This move aims to ease the burden of load capacity limits set on the San Juanico Bridge, which is undergoing rehabilitation due to structural integrity concerns. The roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries serve as vital alternatives for transporting goods and passengers across the region.
The 53-year-old San Juanico Bridge, connecting Samar and Leyte provinces, recently imposed truck restrictions to ensure safety during its rehabilitation. Lite Ferry 17 was the first vessel deployed on May 20, just five days after the truck ban took effect. Operating a daily midnight trip between Maya, Daanbantayan in Cebu, and Calbayog City, it can carry seventeen 10-wheeler trucks and up to 550 passengers.
Expanding RORO Passenger Ferries Services Across Routes
Lite Ferries’ president and CEO, Lucio Roger E. Lim, Jr., explained that these roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries were launched to minimize disruptions in trade and mobility throughout Eastern Visayas. Following further restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge, three more vessels were added.
Lite Ferry 27 alternates with Lite Ferry 17 on the Maya–Calbayog route, offering a daily noon trip. It accommodates twenty 10-wheeler trucks and 280 passengers. Meanwhile, Lite Ferry 29 serves the Bogo City/Maya–Matnog, Sorsogon route, with a capacity for twenty 10-wheeler trucks and 330 passengers. Lim noted that this vessel significantly increased service frequency from four trips weekly to daily midnight departures from both destinations.
Additional Routes to Strengthen Inter-Island Connectivity
To further enhance transport options, Lite Ferry FIVE is set to launch service on the Dapitan City–Dumaguete City route starting the second week of June. This vessel can carry twenty 10-wheeler trucks, five 4-wheeler vehicles, and up to 540 passengers. It provides a vital alternative link along the Western Nautical Highway.
“Lite Ferries remains committed to supporting Eastern Visayas by providing reliable transport alternatives during this crucial infrastructure rehabilitation,” Lim emphasized.
Comfort and Compliance Ensured on All Routes
The ferry operator also assures strict compliance with government safety standards across all routes. For voyages longer than four hours, all vessels feature lying accommodations to ensure maximum comfort and rest, especially for drivers and helpers.
Lim expects the new schedules and additional roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries to significantly reduce transport bottlenecks caused by the San Juanico Bridge restrictions. This development offers much-needed relief to logistics providers and truck drivers alike.
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