Cebu-based Aznar Shipping Corporation has been granted pioneer route status by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for its newly deployed vessel, MV Alexander Aznar I, which now serves the Danao, Cebu–Isabel, Leyte route.
The designation, issued under MARINA Memorandum Circular No. DS-2025-04, provides route protection for up to six years for operators deploying brand-new, safer, and more efficient vessels, part of the government’s push to modernize domestic shipping services.
Aznar said the introduction of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)-certified vessel reduces travel time between Cebu and Leyte from four hours to three, while improving both passenger comfort and cargo capacity along the busy inter-island corridor.
Company president and chief executive Kyle Alexander Aznar said the vessel strengthens connectivity in the Visayas by supporting the movement of people, vehicles, and goods between key economic hubs.
The MV Alexander Aznar I can accommodate up to 340 passengers per trip, around 60 percent higher than previous vessels deployed on the route. It is also capable of carrying 14 units of 10-wheeler wing vans and 24 four-wheel vehicles, reflecting a significant increase in cargo capacity and better alignment with the route’s freight demand.
Under MARINA standards, IACS-classed vessels comply with international benchmarks for safety, design, construction, and environmental performance, ensuring higher operational reliability.
The ship operates four daily trips between Danao and Isabel, with schedules covering early morning, mid-day, afternoon, and evening departures to support both passenger and logistics demand.
Aznar said the deployment is part of its broader strategy to expand short-haul maritime connectivity across the Visayas, where sea transport remains a critical link for regional trade, tourism, and daily mobility.