THE logistics and shipping arm of Udenna Corp., the holding company of magnate Dennis A. Uy’s businesses, is once again flexing its financial muscle—this time to the tune of $100 million—to expand its fleet of vessels by six more ships through 2020.
Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. President Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy said his group is modernizing its fleet with the acquisition of the six new vessels of varying tonnages, as a response to the government’s policy of removing old ships in the industry.
“We still have six vessels lined up to be delivered,” he said, noting the vessels—pegged at around $100 million in total—are either the “same size” or “far bigger” than the roll-on, roll-off (Roro) passenger vessels the group recently acquired from a Japanese manufacturer.
Friday saw the company unveiling the two new ships it acquired—the MT Chelsea Providence and MV Salve Regina—at the Manila North Harbor Port.
“We have long dreamed of having our presence felt in the international waters and to commence our foray into the regional liquid carrier market. Today, we are grateful to welcome our biggest, as well as the Philippines’s biggest, registered vessel—MT Chelsea Providence,” Uy said.
MT Chelsea Providence is a 183.3-meter-long, medium-range oil tanker that can carry up to 54 million liters of petroleum at any given time.
“In our efforts to provide better customer experience, safe and reliable journey, and convenient travel, the Chelsea Group has been investing in younger vessels and brand-new ones, including the one we are onboard right now—the MV Salve Regina,” Uy noted.
The Roro vessel can accommodate over 500 passengers and 41 vehicles. It now serves the Batangas-Caticlan route. With the new ships, the company now has a fleet of 88 ships, spread throughout different subsidiaries such as Chelsea Shipping, Starlite Ferries,Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Fortis and the 2GO Group.
Damuy noted the company is looking at opening new routes for passenger services, as it continues to receive more vessels throughout the next two years.
“From Batangas, we could go to Iloilo, Bacolod, and launch interisland services between the Visayas and Mindanao. There are a number of routes that are underserved,” he said.