APFC boosting ro-ro fleet with 2 newbuilds

0
871
APFC boosting ro-ro fleet with 2 newbuilds
One of the roll on-roll off vessels of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. Photo from APFC.
  • FastCat brand owner Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. expects to take delivery this year of two brand-new catamaran roll-on/roll-off vessels
  • The newbuilds will increase APFC’s fleet to 20 and take the company closer to its goal of having 30 vessels by 2030
  • APFC expects to more than double gross profit to P4 billion from P1.8 billion in 2022

FastCat brand owner Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (APFC) is expecting delivery of two brand-new catamaran-type roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels this year, increasing its fleet to 20 as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The two catamarans will join APFC’s fleet of 18 custom-built catamaran ro-ro vessels that now serve major ports in the country.

The newbuilds will take the domestic carrier closer to its target of having 30 vessels by 2030 to cover more routes.

APFC chairperson Mary Ann Pastrana, in a press conference on April 12, said the vessels cost US$10 million each and were funded by a loan. The pandemic delayed their delivery.

This year, APFC is celebrating its 20th anniversary while its flagship brand, FastCat, is marking its 10th year from its first commercial voyage.

Pastrana said APFC is targeting to double gross profit to P4 billion from P1.8 billion in 2022.

She noted operations are now at pre-pandemic levels with passengers traveling again by sea and fuel prices going down. She added that FastCat has continuously handled ro-ro cargoes even during the pandemic.

On April 12, APFC soft-launched its new campaign, Anytime MARITIME!, which aims to become a vehicle to help inform the public about the maritime industry and its importance to the country’s agriculture sector and economy. The campaign is in collaboration with other maritime stakeholders’ groups and other partners.

FastCat’s routes connect Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao through its major island pairs such as: Batangas-Calapan, Bulalacao-Caticlan, Dumangas-Banago/Bacolod, Dumaguete-Dapitan, San Carlos-Toledo, Cebu-Tubigon, Matnog-Dapdap, and Liloan-Surigao.

RELATED READ: 2 new FastCat catamarans to ply Luzon, Mindanao routes

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR