Cebu-based Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. has launched and inaugurated its latest vessel, M/V Trans-Asia 20, a brand-new bed/seat roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) type passenger ferry.
Built in Kegoya, Japan and designed for Philippine waters, M/V Trans-Asia 20 recently arrived in Cebu and is set to serve the Cebu-Cagayan de Oro-Cebu route.
With a gross tonnage of 5,100 metric tons, M/V Trans-Asia 20 is the company’s second brand-new vessel, following M/V Trans-Asia 19 which started trading last February 18 on the Cebu-Tagbilaran-Cagayan de Oro-Tagbilaran-Cebu route.
M/V Trans-Asia 20 has state-of-the-art modern equipment and advanced safety features, and is equipped with two main and three auxiliary engines with a 16.5 knots cruising speed.
M/V Trans-Asia 20 can carry a total of 690 passengers, 22 buses, and six trucks. It has an information counter, clinic, prayer room, restaurant, convenience store, massage spa, sundeck, and smoking room.
Accommodation choices range from non-air-conditioned to air-conditioned ferry reclining seats, to tourist, cabin and private rooms.
“We are proud and excited to share to the riding public and customers the M/V Trans-Asia 20 experience. Built in Kegoya, Japan but specially designed for Philippine waters. With this, we elevate the standard of sea travel to delight our consumers,” Trans-Asia president Arthur Kenneth L. Sy said in a statement.
Chryss Alfonsus Damuy, president and chief executive officer of Trans-Asia’s parent firm Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings, Inc., said that with the addition of M/V Trans-Asia 20, the shipping line’s fleet has increased to 16 vessels currently serving 11 ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.