TACLOBAN CITY — Ferry boats that helped transport trucks and heavy vehicles between Basey, Samar, and Tacloban City when strict load restrictions were imposed on San Juanico Bridge are now withdrawing from the Tacloban route and returning to their original routes.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said three shipping companies have already expressed their intentions to leave or have left the Amandayehan-Tacloban route since maximum load limits at San Juanico were increased to 15 tons during the day and 30 tons at night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

These are the GT Express; LCT Aldain Dowey of Sta. Clara Shipping; and LCT Edison of Roble Shipping. GT Express ended its operation here on 20 December 2025 and has returned to its approved Matnog–Allen route.

PPA said the Amandayehan-Tacloban route is now left with only one vessel, the LCT Felice 1 of VS Grand Ferries.

The Amandayehan port in Basey, a small port previously serving barges and fishing boats and managed by the local government unit, became a vital link when the Department of Public Works and Highways imposed a 3-ton maximum load on the iconic bridge on 16 May 2025.

The sudden load limit caused a logistics crisis, with trucks and wing vans queuing on both ends of the bridge, prompting the government to find an alternative route for heavy vehicles.

PPA allocated P400 million from its Corporate Operating Budget to upgrade the Amandayehan port to accommodate heavy vehicles. Upgrades include P200 million for port expansion to handle larger RoRo and Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels, P100 million for dredging to improve port depth and vessel maneuverability, and P100 million for the installation of 14 navigational buoys to enhance maritime safety during night operations or inclement weather.

From June to November 2025, shipcalls between the ports of Tacloban and Amandayehan reached 2,632, while rolling cargoes transported totaled 7,256.