CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. (CLC) added two new ships to grow the company’s fleet to 88 as part of its expansion program.
On Friday, the listed company inaugurated the M/T Chelsea Providence and M/V Salve Regina at the Manila North Harbour Port, the two vessels that CLC is preparing to operate.
CLC president and chief executive officer Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy told reporters they invested $30 million to $35 million for the M/T Chelsea Providence and $13 million to $14 million for the M/V Salve Regina.
CLC said the M/T Chelsea Providence is its biggest registered vessel yet, a 183.3-meter long, medium-range oil tanker that has a holding capacity of 54 million liters of petroleum. The company aims to start deploying the ship within the month.
The M/V Salve Regina, meanwhile, is a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel with a carrying capacity of 500 passengers and 41 vehicles. Mr. Damuy said it started its soft launch last week.
“In our efforts to provide better customer experience, safe and reliable journey, and convenient travel, the Chelsea Group has been investing in younger vessels and presently brand-new ones,” CLC founder and chairman Dennis A. Uy said in a statement.
The M/V Salve Regina passenger vessel will serve the route linking Batangas to Caticlan. Mr. Damuy said it is also eyed to help boost tourism in the country.
“With M/T Chelsea Providence, we hope to support local oil companies in the importation of various petroleum products and in ensuring a reliable supply of fuel for our growing economy,” he added.
CLC currently has a fleet of 16 tankers, 22 RoRo passenger vessels, 11 cargo vessels, 14 tugboats and one floating dock, operating across its units Chelsea Shipping, Starlite Ferries, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. and Fortis Tugs. Meanwhile, the 2GO Group, Inc., has eight RoRo passenger vessels, five cargo vessels and 11 fastcrafts. — Denise A. Valdez
