CEBU CITY, Philippines - Business leaders in Cebu have raised concern over a shortage in inter-island cargo shipping facility with the decision of the government to suspend the operations of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) fleet of vessels.

The businessmen, particularly those engaged in wholesale trading across the Visayas and Mindanao, feared major backlogs in the transport of cargoes and in servicing sea travelers, especially that the government has yet to completely lift the suspension of the operation of the Sulpicio Lines vessels.

?Who will serve the sea commuting public?? asked Joseph Ng, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president for the Visayas.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Samuel Chioson is also worried about the impact of the suspension on the Cebu economy.

?It will surely affect Cebu especially (since) Aboitiz is controlling 35 to 40 percent of (the shipping) market and Cebu is the hub for Visayas and Mindanao,? said Chioson.

?I hope Marina (Maritime Industry Authority) can expedite the inspection of all (ATS) vessels for the benefit of the passengers safety which is most important,? Chioson said via text message Wednesday.

Ng said the suspension of the operation of the ATS vessels in view of last Sunday?s sinking of Superferry 9 in the waters off Zamboanga del Norte would have great impact on the businesses, especially the exporters in Cebu.

He said many exporters in Cebu are using Manila as a transshipment point for their export products because of several foreign vessels there docking to Manila en route to their countries of destination.

He said raw materials imported from other countries also usually arrived in Manila and only shipped to Cebu through the local shipping vessels.

Ng said the government should fast-track the inspection of ATS ships so that it could lift the suspension on vessels found to be seaworthy.

Robert Go, former regional governor of PCCI Central Visayas, affirmed that without the ATS fleet, the business sector will have difficulty in shipping their cargoes.

?It?s going to be difficult for business since many of the Sulpicio Ships are not running and they are still grounded and now allowed to carry passengers,? Go said.

?With the suspension of ATS, we the businessmen and traders who use a lot of shipping lines for most of our cargo will have difficult time, expensive freight, shortage of ship, especially we are building stocks for coming Christmas season,? he said.