M/V STARLITE SATURN FERRIES INC. RO-RO SHIPPING INDUSTRY

Each stage of development of the vessels, from design to planning to production, has been meticulously crafted by some of the world's best marine designers and engineers, creating a world-class open-water, seagoing vessel.

August 8, 2016 - Batangas Port, launching of M/V Starlite Saturn, it's fourth brand-new roll-on, roll-off vessel.

Me and my family had been riding ferries before going to my father's province to Ozamiz City and back in Manila. Back then there are different huge ferries, but now a lot prefer to travel via air (plane) due to limited time of travel and or vacation. However, nowadays one of the simplest ways as well to travel via sea is via Ferries/Vessel and or what we call RoRo.

Passengers looking for a convenient and low cost travel expenses can now afford to explore the different islands with ease, safety and comfort as Starlite vessels provide a scenic alternative to road and air travel.

M/V Starlite Saturn assures passengers of the safety of passengers, of the vessel and the ports of all of their operations. A very important concern most of passengers concern when travelling via sea.

Mini store inside M/V Starlite Saturn

World Class Standards Starlite's fleet of brand new ro-ro vessels has undergone stringent inspection ny Nippon KaijiKyokai or Class NK, a member of International Assosciation of Classification Society (IACS) that provides certification and classification services to 20 percent of the world's fleet.

Huge Cars Deck area of M/V Starlite Saturn

I had never tried riding a RoRo yet ever before, that's why i got excited to step foot on the newest addition to the Starlite fleet.

M/V Starlite Saturn has a service speed of 13.5 knots or nautical miles per hour. It has a rounded hull that rests deeper in the water for greater stability, bow thruster for vessel assistive maneuverability and a bulbous bow that allows it to cut through waves more efficiently. The 2,700 gross ton ship can ferry 711 passengers and 20 drivers in bunk comfortably on its upper decks and up to 21 buses in its hold.

The sad reaity is that most of the 70-odd ro-ros now operating in the Philippines were bought from Japan where shipping laws require that after 20 years, they will have to decommissioned or sold abroad.

The people behind the success of M/V Starlite Saturn

With its aging fleet of inter-island ships, the Philippines has racked up too many maritime accidents over the years, thus earning the dubious distinction as the maritime accident capital of the world.

M/V Starlite Saturn with Arthur "Art" Planta Tugade

The second-hand ships now plying Philippine seas which were built for sailing in Japan's calm inland seas, Starlite Saturn and other vessels in the Batangas-based shipping company's fleet are designed to navigate the country's open sea routes and seasonal rough waters.

Connecting inter-islands Starlite Ferries is a 100% Filipino owned company that started operations in  1995 witht heir first route Batangas-Calapan (Mindoro) to date, Starlite brought convenience to Filipino sea travelers by opening new routes such as Roxas-Caticlan, Roxas-Odiongan and guarantees more routes to open as they connect Luzon to Mindanao.

M/V Starlite Saturn with Mr. Arvin Santos

With the Philippines composed of thousands of islands, Starlite's modern ro-ro vessels can significantly boost tourism int he country as they can facilitate trips to various tourist destinations. 

M/V Starlite Saturn with the Transportation Committee

Passengers are assured of a safe voyage in Starlite ferries because it is equipped with a Automatic Identification System (AIS) or automatic tracking system for identifying and locating nearby vessels.

M/V Starlite Saturn with The Philippine Business Bank

Passenger Convenience is what makes M/V Starlite Saturn different from other domestic shipping companies.

First Class

Passengers travel in style inside air-conditioned cabins, 

complete with luxurious reclining seats with arm rests

Business Class

Passengers air-conditioned cabins, 

complete with luxurious reclining seats with arm rests

Economy Class

With comfortable seating and other amenities.

Amenities

The ferries have an elevator for handicapped passengers

Two ramps for passengers

CCTV cameras in strategic locations for heightened security

Room with beds for passengers with medical conditions

Breastfeeding mothers and diaper changing station for infants and a Playpen for kids

A helipad for emergency medical evacuation

Enhanced safety features is what Starlite vessels had enhanced. Their ships are waterlight from car deck to main deck, resulting in enhanced stability and increased safety.

The vessels are also compliant with standards set by the ClassNK. They are built with enough easement between the main deck accommodate area and the railings on both sides are big enough to accommodate all passengers and crew in times of emergency )such as tilting or listing to one side). They also come with wide stairs for speedy but safe evacuation during emergency situations.

Advanced safety systems Starlite vessels are built by Kegoya Dockyard in Kure City in Hiroshima, Japan. The same dockyard that built the legendary Japanese battleship, Yamato, which saw action in decisive naval battles in the Pacific during the Second World War.

Starlite ferries are also equipped with a GPS navigator with video plotter that accurately plots the vessel's location, Doppler log that echoes sea depth, Navtex receiver that forecasts weather condition and RADAR with ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid).

Starlite ferries is also equipped with BNWAS or Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System and EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon).

The ferries also receive regular navigational and meteorological weather warnings and forecasts, while propulsion systems and bow thrusters allow for easier maneuvering.

Emerging leader in Philippine maritime industry Starlite Ferries is fast emerging as a leader in the Philippine shipping industry with its fleet of highly modern Japan-made ro-ro vessels and highly efficient, consuming 20% less fuel than old ones.

Fast, safe, cost-efficient means of sea transport provided for the Filipino community; that is the Starlite way.

With co bloggers who covered the launching of M/V Starlite Saturn

Thank You to Heartshaper Asia Inc. for having me cover the event.