The inaugural journey of a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferry with a direct route from Mindanao to Luzon began on Thursday, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Friday.

The maiden sailing of the MV 1018, a new Landing Craft Transport (LCT), took place on 12 June, coinciding with the 127th Independence Day celebration of the Philippines.

This marks the first RoRo service to travel directly from Mindanao to Luzon without passing through Samar and Leyte — an alternative route designed to reduce traffic congestion and truck queues near the San Juanico Bridge, which currently restricts heavy vehicles.

The MV 1018 measures 85 meters in length, has a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 2,024 metric tons, and can carry 37 10-wheeler trucks and five 6-wheeler vehicles.

The trip from Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao to the Port of Bulan in Sorsogon is expected to take around 21 hours.

According to the PPA, the vessel is equipped with comfortable facilities for drivers and crew, including air-conditioned sleeping quarters and free meals: lunch, dinner, and morning coffee.

Freight charges start at P18,000 for 6-wheeler Bongo trucks; P30,000 for Canter, Elf, and Forward trucks; P44,000 for 20-footer trailers; and P115,000 for trailer trucks carrying heavy equipment.

While only one ship is currently operating on the new route, another vessel from the same shipping company is expected to arrive in the coming weeks to bolster the service.

The launch of this RoRo route is anticipated to be a game-changer for the logistics and transportation sector, significantly speeding up and easing the movement of goods and passengers between Mindanao and Luzon.

Port Manager Froilan Caturla of the PPA–Port Management Office Surigao and Lipata Terminal Manager Allan Yap personally welcomed the MV 1018, along with Seen Sam Shipping Inc. Operations Manager Edwin Bordaje, whose company owns and operates the vessel.