SLT 1251
Fenruary 10-16, 2024
SOUTHERN LEYTE – RLS Shipping Lines fills the need to service the transport of cargoes from Maasin City to Mindanao. On February 1, 2024, cargo vessel LCT Josie Fe 01 of RLS Shipping Lines made its maiden voyage from Maasin City to Lipata, Surigao Del Norte.
The boat’s departure schedule from Maasin City is at 11:00 am, and leaves from Lipata, Surigao Del Norte at 8:00 pm. The voyage is estimated to take approximately five and a half (5.5) hours.
The vessel MV Josie Fe 01, classified as a Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) vessel is aimed at linking Southern Leyte to Mindanao island. Given its LCT designation, the ship exclusively accommodates vehicles going to and from the Mindanao-Luzon travel via the Eastern Nautical Highway route.
During its initial voyage, RLS Shipping Lines offered complimentary meals for truck or car drivers from January 16 to February 28, 2024.
Freight charges for various vehicle types are as follows: Motorcycle, P1,000.00; Wigo/Vios, P3,000.00; Pick-up, P3,500.00; Van:, P4,500.00; Elf/Forward, P5,500.00; 10 Wheelers/Wing Van, P7,500.00; Tractor Head with trailer 20ft and with light materials, P12,000.00; Tractor head with trailer 40ft. with light materials, P15,000.00 and Tractor head with trailer with heavy equipment, P28,000.00.
RLS Shipping Lines is under the proprietorship of Rodolfo Lim Servacio, a known contractor based in the city of Maasin. The ticketing office is situated behind NOVO, adjacent to the pier and beside the food stall of Big Mak.
In an interview with the Officer-In-Charge of RLS Shipping Lines, she disclosed that the proposed plan for a RoRo-passenger or a fast craft service from Limasawa to Maasin and Maasin to Cebu is seriously being considered.
Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado commented that the new route would give cargo truck operators options to reach their destinations in Luzon and Mindanao, even with the ongoing rehabilitation at some ports in the province.
“For the longest time, Surigao del Norte has been accessible from Southern Leyte through the existing San Ricardo, Liloan, and Padre Burgos ports. This is another option and opportunity for our travelers, especially cargo movers,” Mercado said.
The opening of the Maasin to Lipata route is timely as the Padre Burgos port will undergo rehabilitation this year, Mayor Mercado added.
It can also be noted that the Lite Ferries Lipata has a Ro-Ro passenger vessel LF-30 travelling from Cabalian (San Juan), Southern Leyte to Lipata, Surigao City. (Margie Cadano)
