Inter-island shipping bets on Visayas growth

CEBU-BASED Aznar Shipping Corp. said it is expanding its fleet and exploring new inter-island routes as it seeks to capitalize on growing cargo and passenger demand across the Visayas.

The shipping company plans to add three vessels to its current fleet of 10 ships and explore new routes across the Visayas as it positions itself for sustained growth in inter-island trade and travel.

“As the Visayas continues to grow, inter-island shipping will remain crucial in connecting key growth centers,” Aznar Shipping President Kyle Alexander C. Aznar told reporters on Monday.

“Our goal is to continue serving as a sea bridge for the region by investing in vessels and routes that support safer travel, stronger cargo movement, and more reliable connectivity,” he added.

The planned expansion comes as shipping operators benefit from increasing economic activity and mobility across the country. Preliminary data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed cargo volume handled by ports under its supervision rose 1.53% to 66.96 million metric tons (MMT) in the first quarter, driven by higher foreign shipments.

Of the total, foreign cargo reached 39.49 MMT while domestic cargo accounted for 27.47 MMT.

Passenger traffic likewise increased by 1.97% to 19.69 million during the January-to-March period despite fewer ship calls.

Mr. Aznar said the company remains optimistic about demand for both cargo and passenger services this year despite challenges such as elevated fuel costs.

“Despite the fuel crisis, we were able to improve, so moving forward we are still optimistic that we can maintain or even improve our volume,” he said.

The company expects stronger volumes for both business segments this year, although it declined to disclose specific targets.

For 2025, Aznar Shipping posted a net income of nearly P52 million on gross revenue of P225 million.

Over the next five years, the company plans to focus on fleet modernization and route expansion, particularly within the Visayas, where economic activity and population growth continue to support demand for maritime connectivity.

Among the routes being considered is a Bacolod-Iloilo service, which would further strengthen links between two of Western Visayas’ largest economic centers.

The company is also studying opportunities in ship repair and drydocking as part of its long-term strategy to support fleet expansion and improve operational efficiency.

Mr. Aznar said inter-island shipping remains essential to regional development, particularly in an archipelagic country where the movement of goods and people depends heavily on maritime transport. — Ashley Erika O. Jose