Trans-Asia ship catches fire as Gov. Garcia and Mayor Rama question Marina's suspension of all vessels

CEBU, Philippines - While the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducted an inspection in one of the vessels of Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, a fire broke out in one of the company’s ships yesterday morning.

All is not bad for the shipping lines, though, as it gets an ally in Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in fighting the suspension of its vessels by Marina.

At least nine vessels were ordered suspended following the sinking of Trans Asia’s M/V Asia Malaysia after encountering strong winds and big waves while sailing from Cebu City to Iloilo City last July 31.

Yesterday morning, the MARINA officials were on board the M/V Trans-Asia 5 for inspection when a fire broke out at the cargo area of M/V Trans-Asia 2 which was docked at the Cebu port.

In an interview with the reporters, Philippine Coast Guard station commander Chief Rolando Punzalan said the fire broke out at around 10 in the morning and was placed under control after 15 minutes.

Punzalan said a lighted cigarette may have caused the fire after it was thrown on one of the cargoes, but this still has to be confirmed. He stressed, though, that the incident at M/V Trans-Asia 2 was an isolated case.

The chief of security and safety of the Trans Asia Shipping Lines, Flordelito Ortiz, said they already ordered for a thorough probe on the cause of the fire, which also damaged the vessel’s starboard side.

“This is just a minor incident. We are already tracing who is responsible,” Ortiz said as he stressed that smoking in any part of the vessel is a clear violation of the company’s safety rules and regulations.

“We immediately filed a formal complaint against our service provider, the arrastre company, for the damage such a negligent act of their personnel has committed,” the company said in a press statement.

Ortiz said the vessel came from Ozamiz City and was docked at the Pier 5 since Monday. It was supposed to depart on Tuesday but was overtaken by the order grounding of Trans-Asia vessels.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama would intervene for Trans-Asia over the suspension order that Marina issued after last Sunday’s sinking of MV Asia-Malaysia.

The suspension of all the passenger vessels and a cargo vessel of TransAsia is unfair, said Rama, expressing concern on its impact to the industry.

He is set to meet with the Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Shipowners Operators (VAFCSO) headed by Chester Cokaliong, owner of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc.

 At the Capitol, Gov. Garcia said she supports the outcry of the shipping operators.

The governor said the MARINA should consider the consequences of the suspension which will affect the ship owners’ employees, and most of all, the passengers.

“Above all let’s consider the riding public,” Garcia said, saying that seven out of the eight vessels owned by Trans-Asia are passenger vessels. — (FREEMAN)