MANILA — Chelsea Logistics Holding Corporation (CLC) is eyeing to acquire six new sea vessels, as it expands its fleet operations in the country.
The company will invest around USD100 million for the acquisition of the vessels, CLC President and Chief Executive Officer Chryss Alfonsus Damuy said over the weekend.
“We still have six vessels lined up. Two vessels will be delivered every one year,” Damuy said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of its latest sea vessels M/T Chelsea Providence and M/V Salve Regina at the Manila North Harbor Port on Friday.
CLC said it is planning to operate in routes traversing Batangas to Iloilo, Batangas to Bacolod, and in ports across Visayas and Mindanao.
The shipping firm has launched M/T Chelsea Providence, a 183-meter long medium-range oil tanker that can carry up to 54 million liters of petroleum.
This makes it the largest registered vessel 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,” Damuy said.
The company has invested around USD35 million for the oil tanker.
Meanwhile, M/V Salve Regina is a roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessel, which will operate along the Batangas-Caticlan route.
It can accommodate more than 500 passengers and 41 vehicles. It was built by Japanese-based shipbuilder Kegoya Dock Co. Ltd.
“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 Uy said.
CLC currently has a fleet of 88 ships in the country. It operates 16 tankers, 22 RoRo ships, 11 cargo vessels, 14 tugboats, and one floating dock through Chelsea Shipping, Starlite Ferries, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc., and Fortis Tugs.
Its investee, 2GO Group, Inc., operates eight RoRo vessels, five cargo vessels, and 11 fast crafts. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
