ALTERNATE TRANSPORT. A roll-on/roll-off vessel in Ormoc City in this undated photo. The Maritime Industry Authority on Thursday (May 22, 2025) issued eight special permits to eight vessels that ply routes between Samar and Leyte to ease the transportation disruption caused by the weight limit imposed at the San Juanico Bridge. (Contributed photo)
MANILA 鈥� The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has granted special permits to eight different vessels to ease the ongoing transport disruption due to the weight restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge.
In a statement on Thursday, MARINA said 30-day special permits were granted to seven land craft tank (LCT) vessels and one Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vessel that operate between Calbayog City in Samar and Ormoc City in Leyte.
鈥淭his initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen transport connectivity and ensure the seamless movement of goods and people across the archipelago,鈥� it said.
Among the vessels granted special permits for the 13-hour Calbayog鈥揙rmoc route are LCT Poseidon 40, MV Poseidon 48, MV Poseidon 50, and MV Poseidon 41, all operated by ALD Sea Transport.
LCT Poseidon 40 operates three times weekly 鈥� every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 鈥� while the others provide daily service.
MV Poseidon 41 also includes Ouano Port in Mandaue City, Cebu in its route.
On the other hand, LCT 668, LCT 888, and MV LCT 1098 鈥� operated by Seen Sam Shipping Inc. 鈥� now conduct daily trips between Leyte and Samar.
Meanwhile, RORO vessel MV Lite Ferry 17 was granted a special permit to operate along the Maya, Daanbantayan, Cebu / Polambato, Bogo, Cebu 鈥� Calbayog City, Samar route.
鈥淥pening new LCT/RORO routes is crucial to maintaining inter-island connectivity and strengthening economic resilience amid current infrastructure challenges,鈥� the MARINA said.
On Tuesday, the entire Samar province was placed under a state of emergency as the weight limit imposed on San Juanico Bridge disrupted the flow of supplies from Leyte.
On May 16, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) advised truckers and other motorists affected by the San Juanico Bridge weight limit to use RORO vessels as an alternative.