F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation opens new route connecting Panay and Negros Islands

Now traveling and shipping from Northern part of Panay Island to Negros Occidental is made easy and accessible with the newly opened route of F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation (FFCSC), one of the safest and most reliable RORO operators in the region.

F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation (FFCSC) primarily engaged in Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) service operations between Iloilo and Guimaras has been serving the Ilonggos for 26 years now. The newly opened route will connect the neighboring Panay and Negros Islands through its new port in Ajuy Iloilo and E.B Magalona, Negros Occidental.

The new route was launched last March 25, 2022, with the goal of expanding FFCSC RORO service operations under PPA’s RORO Terminal System (RRTS) Policy intended to develop the shortest link between the northern part of the Islands of Panay and Negros.

Compared to the present travel time, which is two hours and 20 minutes between Iloilo City and Bacolod City, the new route sailing time for RORO vessels between the two cities will be reduced to only one hour and twenty minutes.

According to Francis Frederic Cruz, president of FFCSC, the main purpose of this port is to connect the Northern Panay Island to Northern Negros Occidental, and to provide a faster and much more economical way for industrial producers to send their produce in both islands. 

“This corporate direction was intended not only to relieve the growing congestion at the domestic ports in Iloilo City and Dumangas but also to address the growing cargo and passenger traffic coming from and going to the said northern areas of Panay and Negros,” Cruz said. 

The Manta-angan Port, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental is near to Sugar Centrals (VMC, Sagay, others) so much so to Escalante Port to Cebu RoRo Port. It is also 28 km. away from Bacolod City.

“Aside from the local industrial producers and logistics companies, tourists traveling to other areas in the Visayas region will also experience a more convenient traveling journey via this route,” Cruz added.

FFCSC formally inaugurated the said route to the public in two separate events and launched jump off in E.B. Magalona Port and Ajuy Port last March 25.

F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation also provides allied-port and shipyard and ship repair services such as tramping, cargo handling & forwarding services; tug assistance, ship repair & maintenance, among others./ PN