Phl, Indo Pres eyed to launch sea route

Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo are being eyed to launch the Davao-General SantosBitung Shipping Route this April 30, 2016.

“We are looking into having President Widodo and President Duterte to jointly launch the maiden voyage here in Davao City,” said assistant secretary Romeo M. Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) Deputy Executive Director, on Tuesday at the sidelines of the Press Briefing of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) at Pidoks, Davao City.

Minda is spearheading the Davao-General Santos-Bitung Asean Roro Business Forum at the SMX Convention in SM Lanang Premier today. Some 200 businessmen and government agencies from Indonesia and the Philippines are expected to attend the forum.

During this time, the Indonesian task force for the route will be visiting the Philippines to discuss discuss about the sea route and preparations leading to its launch on April 30, 2016.

“We are working on some of the details in terms of the policy structure for the entries of the commodities like standards required before the commodities are allowed entry and loaded to the ship,” Montenegro said.

Meanwhile, Montenegro said Luzon businessmen have expressed their interests to utilize the route as well.

“There is also interset coming from the Visayas but so far, those who have given us specifics are producers from Luzon,” he said.

Montenegro said Luzon businessmen utilizing the Davao-General Santos-Bitung Shipping Route will cut their shipping to around one week from the regular three to five weeks.

The Davao-General Santos-Bitung Shipping Route, which is seen to spur trade between Indonesia and Philippines, will be serviced by a cargo and roll-on, roll-off car carrier vessel. The vessel is operated and owned by Asian Marine Transport Corporation.