Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. expects the delivery of its new roll-on roll-off passenger ferry from Japan in October this year.
The 98-meter “M/V Trans-Asia 20” Bed/Seat Ro-Ro Type Passenger Ferry, which was launched at Kegoya Dock Co. Ltd.’s Japan shipyard on July 5, can carry a total of 740 passengers, 22 buses and six trucks, providing better service to Filipinos. This is the Chelsea Group’s 10th brand new RoPax made in Japan.
“The launch of M/V Trans-Asia 20 is a testament to the long lasting and fruitful cooperation between Chelsea and Kegoya, with a number of new projects still in the pipeline. This shows our serious commitment to support the shipping modernization of the country which is aligned with our belief that Filipinos are entitled to better maritime transport,” said Chelsea president and chief executive officer Chryss Alfonsus Damuy.
“We expect our fleet expansion program to contribute to our market dominance and to continue to provide alternative reliable transportation to Filipinos,” Damuy said.
The launch of M/V Trans-Asia 20 coincided with the keel laying ceremony of the vessel with Hull No. S-1191, which marks the official start of construction of another 98-meter Bed/Seat Ro-Ro Type Passenger Ferry. It has a gross tonnage of 5,100 with carrying capacity similar to M/V Trans-Asia 20 and will be finished and delivered in April 2020.
The newest passenger ferry ship brings Chelsea’s fleet to a total of 89 vessels, including 30 roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels, 11 fast craft, 15 cargo ships, 12 tankers, 15 tugboats, 4 barges and 2 floating docks through its subsidiaries Chelsea Shipping Corp., Starlite Ferries, Inc., Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Incorporated and Fortis Tugs Corp..
Chelsea Logistics in June signed a shipbuilding agreement with Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for the construction of a 123-meter Passenger Ship Roll on-Roll Off.
The passenger ferry ship which can carry a total of 1,085 passengers, 24 buses and 11 trucks, is scheduled to be delivered in June 2021.