The recently renovated M/V Claudine Star will soon allow passengers to commute by sea between Cebu and Tacloban once more.
The city administration of Tacloban announced Roble Shipping Inc.'s intention to resume the Cebu-Tacloban passenger sea route using one of the shipping company's renovated vessels.
The route will be launched in September 2024.
Huge boost for travelers
Roble Shipping is scheduled to deliver the 74-meter-long M/V Claudine Star to Tacloban in 2022. The vessel will make three weekly journeys from Cebu to the capital of Eastern Visayas.
As of right now, travelers wanting to go to Cebu must drive about two hours by road to the port of Ormoc City to take a boat to Cebu City.
According to the local government, the company has not yet announced the inaugural trip, as negotiations with the Philippine Ports Authority are still ongoing.
Once famous port
Since Sulpicio Lines ceased passenger operations in 2008 due to the MV Princess of the Stars sinking during Typhoon Frank's onslaught, Tacloban has been without any liners.
Once upon a time, Tacloban Port was among the busiest in the nation, with frequent passenger boat journeys to Cebu and Metro Manila.
Roble Shipping Inc. has historically provided service on the Cebu-Tacloban route, which is a vital link between these two large cities. Due to the substantial social and economic ties between Tacloban City and Cebu City, this route is crucial for both travelers and businesses.
