Photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Basilan/Facebook.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced alternative shipping services on Thursday to cover routes affected by the suspension of Aleson Shipping Line following a deadly ferry sinking.
Transportation officials directed the Maritime Industry Authority to authorize qualified operators that passed safety checks to temporarily take over the suspended routes.
The move followed Malacañang’s instruction to ensure uninterrupted and safe sea travel for passengers after the loss of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 earlier this week.
Several routes from Zamboanga City to destinations in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi were reassigned to existing operators, while other connections were redirected through nearby ports where no immediate replacement was available.
Additional ferry services were also identified for routes linking Mindanao and the Visayas, including trips between Dapitan, Dumaguete, and Siquijor, to prevent prolonged travel disruptions.
The department said a special permit was being prepared to restore service on the Zamboanga–Lamitan route, while contingency plans were activated in case of vessel shortages.
The Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off Basilan on Monday, leaving 18 people dead and several others missing, as search operations continued amid hazardous sea conditions, authorities said.