Ferry industry appeals for govt assistance
LIMITED vessel movement across the country has led to the significant decrease in passenger traffic and revenue for shipowners. According to the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (APFC) — the company that operates Fastcat passenger vessels — Executive Vice President Mary Anne Pastrana, the Enhanced Community Quarantine implemented in the country may cause many of their voyages to be canceled.
This places a heavier toll on shipowners to sustain operational costs that now includes the prevention of spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 ( Covid- 19). “This necessitates acquisition of thermal scan equipment for all vessels, purchasing of more alcohol and disinfectants for sanitation and passenger safety and increased steaming, which will double the labor and electricity cost with its high power requirements and generator utilization,” Pastrana said.
In addition, Pastrana ascertains that they are implementing preventive measures issued by the Department of Health such as distributing personal protective equipment and materials to their vessels and ports, and boosting awareness among both employees and passengers.
Given the sudden halt in ferry services that resulted to the sudden downturn of revenue for ship owners to sustain shipping costs, the global trade body, Interferry, appeals to governments around the world to financially support ferry operators who have incurred significant losses while still maintaining lifeline services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are calling for all levels of government across the globe to include the ferry industry in their respective Covid-19 financial aid packages. This support will be crucial for ferry operators to continue providing essential services to the communities they serve during these unprecedented times, and to ensure that critical infrastructure and personnel are available once the global economy begins to recover,” Interferry Chief Executive Officer Mike Corrigan said.