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MANILA,
Sept. 30 (PNA) – FBMA, the Aboitiz company in Cebu, recently launched
the locally-built Betico II, a 57-meter-long fast craft,
roll-on/roll-off (RORO) catamaran which carries 356 passengers and 10
cars.
Roberto
Aboitiz, FBMA president and chief executive officer, said the vessel
with a top speed of 32 knots, would service the City of Noumea and the
three major islands of New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
FBMA won the tender to construct the Betico II to replace the older Australian-made Betico I.
The fast craft was designed to sail in the rough seas of New Caledonia.
The vessel will depart Cebu for New Caledonia after the fitting of the vessel and the sea trials have been completed.
FBMA completed the ship at the drydock of Cebu after 13 months.
Earlier, the New Caledonia delegates went to Cebu for a must-see of the place and for the vessel.
The
delegates is composed of President Philippe Gomes of the Southern
Province, President Neko Hnepeune of the Loyalty Islands Province,
Deputy President Cono Hamu of the Loyalty Islands Province, Alain
Descombels, member of the Southern Province Assembly and Chairman of
the Economic Development Commission, and Christiane Waneissi, adviser
on external affairs of Southern Province.
They were met by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Aboitiz, and Tony Moraza, director of FBMA. (PNA) |