Marina lifts order grounding all Sulpicio passenger, cargo vessels

MANILA, Philippines – The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has lifted the order that grounded all passenger and cargo ships of Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) after the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars at the height of typhoon “Frank” last June.

Marina administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. issued the order lifting the grounding of all SLI ships, allowing them to sail “under certain conditions.”

“We have actually issued the order already, lifting it, but under certain conditions. That is for all the vessels,” Suazo told The STAR.

Suazo said that among the conditions given to SLI were for their vessels to pass a thorough seaworthiness audit by Marina, observance of safety regulations, and having all the required insurance including protection and indemnity coverage.

He said the lifting of the grounding order does not limit SLI to cargo operations, but allows them to also start passenger operations if it wanted.

“Initially, (the clearance is) for cargo, but they have to comply with requirements. If they want to carry passengers, they also have to comply with requirements,” Suazo said.

SLI currently operates 13 passenger vessels and nine cargo ships.

Suazo, however, clarified that the Marina has not yet decided on whether SLI will keep the firm’s license to operate or its certificate of public convenience (CPC).

“Nothing yet. We still have several more hearings, by next week, we’ll wrap up the hearings,” Suazo said.

It will be recalled that Marina started a review of Sulpicio’s CPC after the Princess of the Stars sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon last June 21 at the height of the typhoon.

Marina grounded all cargo and passenger ships of SLI after the mishap that resulted in the death of 200 persons and 600 more still missing.

The Marina, however, lifted the ban on SLI’s cargo ships following the clamor for more vessels to carry cargo because many shipments were waiting at the ports.

Another SLI-owned ship the M/V Doña Paz sank on Dec. 20, 1987 after the ship collided with the oil tanker Vector that killed over 4,000 people.

An inquiry later revealed that the crew of the Vector was not qualified and that the tanker’s license to operate had expired.

Meanwhile, a local trading company filed a P562,050.02 damage suit at the Manila Regional Trial Court against SLI, Seaquest Logistics, Inc., and Oriental Assurance Corp.

The suit was filed by Ker & Co. Ltd., with office at Bayantel building, Romualdez St., Paco, Manila.

Records showed that on June 18, 2008, Seaquest received from Ker & Co. a shipment consisting of 3M sanding rolls and papers, electrical and masking tapes, grinding disc, cut-off wheel, clipsal flush plates, and heptason oil to be delivered to Cebu City and Davao City.

Seaquest loaded shipment on board the Princess of the Stars for transport and delivery to Cebu as evidenced by Bill of Lading T-14, also submitted to the court.

“For failing to deliver the subject shipment to its intended destination, defendants Seaquest and Sulpicio had breached its contractual obligation to herein plaintiff to safely carry and deliver said cargo,” said the plaintiff. – With Sandy Araneta