MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-owned Starlite Ferries launched last week the latest addition to its fleet of 15 modern roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessels at the Batangas Port, boosting its efforts to modernize inter-island travel in the country.
The brand-new M/V Starlite Saturn, built by the Kegoya Dockyards in Kure near Hiroshima, Japan, is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art amenities, including CCTV cameras and a helipad for emergency medical evacuation, among others.
Starlite Ferries president Francis Cusi said the new vessel follows the customized design of the three earlier ro-ro units. The company has ordered an initial seven ships from Japan, with eight more to be custom-built later.
M/V Starlite Saturn has a service speed of 13.5 knots or nautical miles per hour. The 2,700-gross ton ship can ferry 711 passengers and 20 drivers in bunk comfortably on its upper decks and up to 21 buses in its hold. Unlike the second-hand ships now plying Philippine seas which were built for sailing in Japan’s calm inland seas, Starlite’s Saturn and other vessels in the Batangas-based shipping company’s fleet are designed to navigate the country’s open sea routes and seasonal rough waters.
Starlite Ferries is a 100-percent Filipino-owned company that started operations in 1995 with its first route, Batangas-Calapan (Mindoro). To date, Starlite has brought convenience to Filipino sea travelers by opening new routes such as Roxas-Caticlan and Roxas-Odiongan, and guarantees more routes to open as they connect Luzon to Mindanao.
What differentiates Starlite Ferries from other domestic shipping companies is its emphasis on passenger convenience and safety. In first-class, passengers travel in style inside air-conditioned cabins, complete with luxurious reclining seats with arm rests. The business class is also air-conditioned, while budget travelers can opt for the economy class where they also have comfortable seating and other amenities.
