Cagayan News

Shipping firm Trans-Asia Shipping Lines has launched its new RoPax vessel MV Trans-Asia 21 which will serve the Cebu-Cagayan De Oro-Cebu route in the Philippines.The company, part of Chelsea Group, said that the Japan-built newbuild was part of the group's program to move forward with its commitment "to provide Filipinos a fleet of modern, fuel efficient, clean, and superior quality ships."MV Trans-Asia 21 which measures 123 meters in length and with GRT of approximately 8,800 tons, is Trans-Asia’s 15th vessel and can carry 1,051 passengers.

In order to offer a wide-ranging service to the whole market of the Philippines especially in Mindanao Island, Evergreen Line who operates the fourth largest container fleet in the world will launch the new Taiwan-Philippines Service (TPH) adding new port call at Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The dedicated South Philippines feeder loop will utilize two containerships with a minimum capacity of 1, 300 TEU. The first sailing of the weekly TPH service will start on October 25, 2017 from Kaohsiung, Taiwan and calls at Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Davao City and then back to Kaohsiung, Taiwan as main transhipment hub connecting to all Evergreen's global service network.

Philippine President Benigno S. C. Aquino III has signed off on legislation to open up the shipping sector and encourage more competition in the cloistered industry, report AFP. He also signed into law a measure that aims to level the country’s playing field. The twin steps forward is government’s bid to further improve the country’s business climate. “Today, we signed into law two measures that will help ensure our economy’s continued progress. With these two laws... A new statute will provide greater access for international firms to the Philippines' shipping routes, replacing a 79-year-old law put in place to protect local firms.

A powerful storm strengthened to a "super typhoon" on Sunday hours before it was set to slap the northeastern tip of the Philippines, prompting officials to warn of landslides and call on residents along the coast to evacuate to safer ground. Typhoon Noul is now a category five storm, packing winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) near the centre, with gusts of up to 220 kph (137 mph), as it approaches the rice-producing province of Cagayan about 400 km (250 miles) north of the capital, Manila. It was moving faster at 20 kph as it neared the Philippines' northeastern coast, where it was expected to make landfall later on Sunday, and was estimated at 100 km east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province.

Joint elements of Philippine Coast Guard Search and Rescue Vessel (SARV) 002 and MV Asia Pacific successfully rescued 693 passengers of M/V Trans Asia 5 after it encountered engine trouble at the vicinity waters 14 nautical miles southeast of Siquijor Island yesterday, December 16, 2013 at 5 a.m.. Reports reaching the Coast Guard Action Center in Manila revealed that on December 16 at 7:30 a.m., a certain Norman of Magnum Radio station reported to Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao that subject vessel was en route to Port of Cebu from Cagayan de Oro City and was loaded with 677 passengers, 16 crew and five rolling cargoes on board when her driving gear shaft suddenly broke out and subsequently went dead on the water. coastguard.gov.ph

At least 10,000 people are feared dead after Typhoon Haiyan bombarded the Philippines last Friday, November 8, with death toll figures expected to continue rising. The storm, recorded as one of the most powerful in history to hit land, produced wind gusts of more than 200 miles per hour, 15-meter waves and seven-meter storm surges, and has destroyed roughly 70-80% of structures in its path, according to estimations by the United Nations. Philippines president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has declared the nation in a state of national calamity.

MOL Training Ship Spirit of MOL Transports Aid Supplies; Volunteer Work on Site. MOL President Koichi Muto announced that its training ship, the Spirit of MOL (*1) has delivered aid supplies to Misamis Oriental Province on Mindanao Island, the Philippines, which suffered severe damage from typhoon Sendong (International name: Washi) in mid-December. The ship carried supplies provided by MOL, its group company Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc. (*2) and the Philippine government. MOL received a request for transport of emergency aid supplies from the Philippines Social Welfare Development…

The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded anew nine new service contracts for oil and gas development. The DOE has processed nine petroleum exploration areas which were bid out in the last Philippine Energy Contracting Round that closed last May. The DOE awarded the contracts for these exploration blocs last September, barring any hitches on the part of investors. Most of the awardees are local companies with foreign partners. The contract areas covered a total of 71,357.30 square kilometers located within the prospective basins of East Palawan and Mindoro-Cuyo; and in the promising basins of Cagayan, Central Luzon, Visayas and Agusan-Davao. The service contract areas will generate a conservative $180m in revenues for the country, as a single drilling for an offshore well costs about $20m.

APL announced the launch of a new twice-weekly service to cater for the growing global demand for Philippines produce. The Mindanao Express (MDX) will provide a 700-TEU weekly capacity increase for cargo moving from the region of Mindanao and other key Philippines locations before connecting with APL’s global service network. Three dedicated vessels of between 700 and 850 TEU capacity will make twice-weekly calls to the ports of Bugo and Davao, also calling at Cagayan and General Santos, before connecting via Singapore and Taiwan to destinations in Asia, Europe and North America. Demand for goods from the Mindanao region such as fruit, tuna and rubber is strong, with fruit production in particular a key driver of export growth.

The eighth crewmember has died as a result of the accident onboard the S/S Norway on May 25, 2003. Forty-four year old chef, Rolando Tejero, had been in intensive care since the accident. He had worked for NCL for 20 years onboard various ships including Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Dream, Star Odyssey, Norwegian Crown, Starward, Southward, Skyward and the S/S Norway. Rolando Tejero was from Manila, Philippines. Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with Rolando’s family. Last week, the other five crewmembers who remained hospitalized were released. They are resting comfortably with family in Miami or at local hotels where they are receiving outpatient care.

Two people were killed and at least 139 others missing after a passenger ferry bound for Bacolod City caught fire early yesterday morning near Corregidor island, according to a report on PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE. It was not clear if the more than 100 people still unaccounted for were rescued by fishing boats. They were either trapped inside the ill-fated SuperFerry 14 or disappeared after jumping into the sea, the news agency reported. Twice, the fire appeared to be out, only to rekindle. Shortly after dawn, more than five hours after the blaze broke out, two loud explosions came from inside the back section of the passenger ship, followed by billowing black smoke and walls of flame.