The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) granted pioneering status to M/V Lite Ferry Twenty for upgrading its shipping service on the Batangas City–Caticlan route, strengthening one of the country’s key sea corridors connecting Luzon and Western Visayas.
MARINA said the upgraded service enables travelers, businesses, and local communities to benefit from faster, safer, and more efficient sea travel.
The launch of the new Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel will enhance the movement of passengers and cargo along the strategic Batangas–Caticlan corridor, a vital gateway that supports tourism, trade, and regional economic growth.
MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan said the significance of every new vessel extends beyond expanding the country’s domestic fleet, as it “carries not only passengers and cargo, but also opportunities, livelihoods, and hope for millions of Filipinos.”
With a capacity to carry 578 passengers, 30 ten-wheeler trucks, and four passenger vehicles per voyage, M/V Lite Ferry Twenty is expected to improve passenger mobility and facilitate the efficient movement of goods between Luzon and Western Visayas, further supporting economic activity across the two regions.
The vessel is classified by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) through RINA of Italy, one of the world’s leading ship classification societies, signifying compliance with internationally recognized standards for ship design, construction, and safety.
Completed in January 2026, the vessel measures 90 meters in length, 20 meters in breadth, and has a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 3,923 tons.
Designed for greater passenger comfort and operational efficiency, M/V Lite Ferry Twenty features wider passageways, spacious passenger areas, enhanced safety systems, and standard and tourist-class accommodations that exceed MARINA’s minimum requirements.
According to MARINA, the vessel’s entry into service reflects the continuing investments of the private sector in modernizing the country’s domestic fleet while complementing the government’s efforts to provide safer, more reliable, and globally competitive maritime transport services.
MARINA said private companies’ investments in modern vessels such as M/V Lite Ferry Twenty reinforce the Philippine maritime industry’s commitment to strengthening inter-island connectivity, supporting economic development, and improving the overall travel experience of the Filipino public.
