4 RORO vessels deployed to ease transport burden at San Juanico

At least four roll-on, roll-off (RORO) passenger ferries capable of carrying cargo trucks were deployed in Eastern Visayas to ease the burden of the load capacity limitations imposed on the San Juanico Bridge amid the plan to rehabilitate the iconic bridge over structural integrity issues.

- By AARON RECUENCO

Lite Ferry 17 was first deployed on May 20, or five days after the truck ban took effect at the 53-year-old San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces.

The vessel operates a daily midnight trip between Maya, Daanbantayan, Cebu and Calbayog City, with the capacity to carry 17 10-wheel trucks and 550 passengers.

Lucio Roger E. Lim Jr., president and chief executive officer of Lite Ferries, said the deployment of RORO/passenger ferries was aimed at minimizing disruptions to trade and mobility across Eastern Visayas.