The Port of Batangas recently welcomed MV Trans Harmony 2, the newest purely car carrier of Toyofuji Shipping, Toyota Group’s sole marine transport company, as the vessel officially entered service for the growing car market.
Trans Harmony 2 further boosts Toyofuji’s capacity and efficiency in the region, following the launch of her sister ship Trans Harmony 1 early this year. Trans Harmony 2 runs a weekly rotation through Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Batangas in the Philippines, according to Batangas port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI).
Trans Harmony 2 is designed with safety as the highest priority, while incorporating features that improve ecological performance and enhances the work environment for its crew and port workers.
The 200-meter vessel with nine vehicle decks is equipped with the latest technologies for better and safer sea navigation, including infrared night vision camera system, the latest hull design to reduce seawater and wind resistance, thermal-insulating paint to help prevent excessive vessel temperature, and energy-saving automated navigation systems.
The vessel, manned by 23 Filipino sailors led by Captain Nimrod Boston, can haul up to 3,000 cars in one sailing. Fair Shipping & Agency Inc. is the general agent for Toyofuji Shipping in the Philippines.
ATI said Trans Harmony 2’s maiden voyage and official launch in Batangas signifies Toyofuji Shipping’s confidence in the growing Asian car market, and in Batangas port as the preferred hub for completely built imported car units (CBUs) coming into the Philippines. Last year, Batangas handled nearly 200,000 CBUs, representing majority of nationwide car sales.
ATI said Batangas port is an ideal hub for CBUs given its efficiency and proximity to the major car manufacturing centers and leading distributorships in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and Metro Manila. It also serves as a strategic link for car deliveries to other island provinces and the Visayas through interisland vessels regularly calling the port, it added.
In related developments, ATI’s Multilevel Car Storage Facility (MCSF) in Batangas port is nearing full completion. Currently, four levels of the five-story structure are now operational to support the influx of CBUs. The MCSF is designed to park over 5,000 CBUs at any one time.
