Vessel takes Davao-Tahuna-Bitung RoRo route

The boat, owned by an Indonesian, is a conventional cargo ship that has been operating for export import activities between Southern Philippines and Eastern Indonesia. (Pixabay photo)

DAVAO CITY – A smaller vessel now serves the Davao-GenSan-Bitung in Indonesia to sustain the roll-on roll-off route between Philippines and Indonesia via its backdoor cities.

This was announced by Indonesian Consul General in Davao City Berlian Napitupulu, saying the KM Gloria 28 will utilize the Sta. Ana wharf in Davao City as port of call for its regular sail.

“The vessel already plies for the second time but we still consider it a trial run. It will sail for two days from Tahuna, Manado, to Davao City,” he said.

The boat, owned by an Indonesian, is a conventional cargo ship that has been operating for export import activities between Southern Philippines and Eastern Indonesia.

Cargoes that will be brought here next week are agricultural products and furniture and on its return trip to Tahuna, the vessel will carry other agricultural products and decorative lights.

Napitupulu said the vessel will ply directly from Bitung-Tahuna to Davao but the original Davao-GenSan-Bitung route will remain as indicated in the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and the Philippines.

He explained that it will not call the port in GenSan this time because there are no cargoes from that area.

Napitupulu sees the entry of bigger vessels in the future because the positive economic prospect of the route. However, he conceded that the lack of consolidators from both countries remains a hindrance as of this time.

The Consul General has been promoting trade relations between Indonesia and Mindanao for stronger advocacy and relations with the local government units and private organizations and associations.

Related to this, Napitupulu said they are launching the First Indonesia Fashion Expo (IFE) in Davao City from November 24 to 26, 2017 at the Activity Center of Ayala Abreeza Mall.

He said: “This is all part of our efforts to open the Mindanao market to the cities of Indonesia.