Wazzup Pilipinas!
In a move seen to enhance connectivity and boost international trade, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will soon be opening a new and shorter sea route from the Philippines to Indonesia.
With the new Davao City – General Santos – Bitung, Indonesia shipping route, ferrying goods will only take three days as opposed to the current three to five weeks shipping time via the Manila – Bitung route.
Apart from being more time-efficient, the new route is also cheaper with savings estimated to about $1,500 (PHP 75,000) per TEU, creating revenue for local businessmen and the government.
“Having a shipping route such as this is crucial for any maritime region. Sea linkage will strengthen our economies and our partnerships in other areas of development. And it will also improve the quality of life of our people because local businessmen and traders will directly benefit from this,” said DOTr Secretary Art Tugade.