New 2GO vessel sets sail on May 23

THE maiden voyage of 2GO Group Inc.’s new passenger vessel from Japan is slated for May 23, according to the company’s executive.

“Our target is to sail it by May 23,” said 2GO Chief Operating Officer Waldo Basilla in a virtual briefing, adding it will sail to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

Basilla was referring to 2GO’s newest state-of-the-art passenger vessel MV 2GO Maligaya, which the integrated transportation and logistics provider recently launched.

MV 2GO Maligaya is the latest addition to the integrated transportation and logistics provider’s current fleet of up to 10 ships, servicing 20 major ports of call in the Philippines.

Made by Japanese shipbuilders and with a German main engine, the MV 2GO Maligaya embodies the latest international shipping standards and technologies, which include an integrated navigation and control system, advanced fire alarm systems, and multiple collision bulkheads as a collision mitigating support, among others.

The new passenger vessel can carry 40 percent more twentyfoot equivalent units of cargo capacity compared to 2GO’s current fleet of vessels.

MV 2GO Maligaya — which will link Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao via its Manila-CebuCagayan de Oro route — has a top speed of 23.5 knots, reducing the steaming time from Manila to Cebu to only 17 hours.

It is the most technologically advanced roll-on, roll-off passenger or Ropax ship that has set sail in the Philippine waters, it said.

With the new vessel, 2GO aims to further improve sailing schedule reliability to 95 percent on time.

2GO Chief Financial

Officer

Will Howell did not divulge the cost of acquiring the vessel but said the company “made a significant investment in the vessel” as part of the fleet modernization efforts.

“This is a manifestation of 2GO’s commitment in providing superior products and services to our customers. The new addition complements the broader service offerings of the other business units under the 2GO Group. As a major player in the industry, it is imperative for us to take the lead in product innovation and unparalleled service to keep in step with world-class standards,” said Howell in a separate statement.

Howell also said this was part of 2GO’s strategy developed prior to the pandemic. “This vessel actually helps us with our capabilities so we can provide that end-to-end supply chain to our end customers.”