Cebu firm’s ships grounded

CEBU CITY—The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operation of 21 vessels of the Cebu City-based Asian Marine Transport Corp. after one of its vessels ran aground last week off Merida, Leyte.

The MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15 ran aground midnight of August 21 off the coast off Merida town. There were no reported injuries.

In his August 24 order, Marina officer in charge Nicasio Conti also instructed the company to explain and show cause in writing why the company’s certificate of public convenience issued on June 9, 2005, and valid for 15 years should not be suspended or revoked.

The suspension order includes passenger-cargo ships Super Shuttle Ferry 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23  and 24, Super Shuttle Ferry SB-1, Super Shuttle Roro 3 and Super Shuttle Roro 5.

While under suspension, Marina inspectors will continue to monitor activities in the shipping firm.

Conti also directed Asian Marine to coordinate with the Marina regional office in Central Visayas, or the nearest Marina regional office, where the ships are being kept to hasten the audit and reinspection of the vessels.

All other permits given the shipping firm to employ seafarers and the safety certificate of MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15, the vessel that ran aground, were also suspended.

A staff member of the company said the firm was coordinating with the Marina regional office in compliance with the order.

The affected routes are Cebu-Ormoc City, Danao City-Camotes, Bato Leyte to Ubay Bohol, Surigao City to Dinagat Island, Naval, Biliran to Cebu City, Hagnaya, San Remegio to Sta Fe in Bantayan Island, Palompon, Leyte to Bogo City in Cebu and Benoni, Camiguin to Balingawan, Misamis Oriental.