Montenegro Shipping Lines has unveiled its newest and largest vessel, the M/V Santa Faustina, which is set to revolutionize sea travel between popular tourist destinations in MIMAROPA region and beyond.

The 90-meter ship, built in China, boasts a passenger capacity of 999, making it the most substantial addition to Montenegro’s growing fleet.

Company sources revealed that the vessel will soon ply the Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan route, a critical link for tourism and commerce in Mimaropa region.

With a cruising speed of 14-16 knots, M/V Santa Faustina is expected to reduce travel time from Batangas to Odiongan, Romblon to 6-7 hours. This improvement means passengers could arrive in Odiongan between 11 p.m. and midnight, enhancing travel convenience for both tourists and locals.

The new route holds relative importance for Mindoro island’s tourism and economy.

Odiongan, located on Tablas Island in Romblon province, serves as a gateway to Mindoro, particularly its eastern coast.

The improved sea connection is anticipated to boost tourist influx to popular Mindoro destinations such as Puerto Galera and Sabang Beach.

Mindoro’s economy, largely dependent on agriculture and tourism, stands to benefit from the enhanced maritime link.

Faster and more reliable transportation could facilitate increased trade of local products, including Mindoro’s famous bananas, papayas, and citrus fruits, to mainland markets.

The route’s extension to Caticlan, the jumping-off point for the world-renowned Boracay Island, further amplifies its economic value. It creates a seamless travel corridor connecting three major tourist hubs: Batangas, Mindoro, and Boracay.

Philippine tourism officials have expressed optimism about the potential increase in visitor numbers, particularly to less-explored areas of Mimaropa. They believe the improved accessibility could encourage tourists to venture beyond popular spots, distributing economic benefits more widely across the islands.

Montenegro Shipping Lines has not yet announced the exact deployment date for M/V Santa Faustina.

However, the company’s investment in this large-capacity vessel signals confidence in the growing demand for inter-island travel in the country’s tourism sector. (Photos courtesy of Montenegro Shipping Lines)