News Update SuperFerry resumes operations, decries MARINA suspension order

SuperFerry resumed operations following a 36-hour suspension of its vessel operations by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Regulator Marina ordered SuperFerry vessels grounded for a safety audit starting Nov. 18 after one of its ships collided with a fishing boat off Sarangani province on Nov. 16, leaving one dead and 6 others injured. During the audit, MARINA found SuperFerry “to be fully compliant with national and international safety management systems,” according to a statement Tuesday by Super Ferry operator Negros Navigation-Aboitiz Transport System (NN-ATS). Sulficio O. Tagud, Jr., CEO of NN-ATS, said the suspension of their entire fleet was uncalled for, especially after the results of the MARINA Audit were made public. “At the most, only one vessel should have been slapped with suspension,” Tagud said. The suspension affected the company’s public image, he said, noting that “though we are relieved that MARINA has lifted the suspension order, NN-ATS expresses its extreme displeasure over the lack of due process accorded by the regulatory body. Such [an] arbitrary move unduly alarmed a vast number of cargo shippers and passengers in our ports of operation." In a telephone interview, Lito Salvio, NN-ATS assistant vice president for ship management, told GMA News Online that the company did its own investigation of the accident. “I myself investigated the matter.” “At 1 o’clock in the morning we were already past the alleged area,” when and where the Nov. 16 accident supposedly happened," Salvio explained. “Our officers had nothing to report,” Salvio added. He noted that NN-ATS was “displeased about the way MARINA handled it. It was arbitrary, but we will cooperate.” The suspension caused the shipping company to incur considerable losses from ticket refunds and undelivered cargoes, the company said in the statement. Tagud called for an improvement in the regulator’s handling of such incidents, saying that "MARINA is expected to administer clear written policies and other formal guidelines for the shipping and cargo industry and not resort to hasty negative actions against any of its supervised companies.” “In addition, part of its mandate is to foster the development of the industry and encourage investment rather than foist negative impressions among would be investors," he added. — VS/KG