VESSEL REVIEW | Santa Editha – Philippines’ Montenegro Lines welcomes second 72m Ro-Pax to fleet

Philippine operator Montenegro Shipping Lines (MSLI) recently took delivery of a new Ro-Pax ferry from sister company San Pedro Shipyard in Quezon province just south of Manila.

Santa Editha is a near identical sister vessel of Santa Brigida, which was delivered by San Pedro Shipyard to MSLI in 2021. The newest addition to Montenegro's "Santa" series of ferries honouring female Roman Catholic saints has a length of 72 metres, a beam of 14 metres, and a pair of Mitsubishi main engines that deliver a service speed of around 13 to 14 knots.

The ferry can transport up to 365 passengers on each voyage. The passenger spaces include economy and VIP seating sections on two decks. The VIP lounge on the main deck features cushioned reclining seats, mess tables, and air conditioning. Located outside of this area is an open-air economy seating section with snack bar. The main deck was also designed to ensure accessibility for passengers with limited mobility, particularly in the toilet spaces.

The only passenger spaces on the upper deck are the owner's cabin with en suite toilet and a sun deck with table and benches placed between the vessel's two funnels. The remainder of the upper deck space is taken up by the bridge, crew berths, toilets, a mess, and a galley. All upper deck interior spaces also have air conditioning.

The bridge features a padded control console and navigational equipment from Garmin as well as a rudder indicator mounted on the ceiling. As with all other interior spaces, the bridge floor is covered with interlocking wood panels.

The vehicle deck can accommodate 18 buses or an equivalent total volume of vehicles and other freight. Loading and unloading can be conducted through either the bow or the stern ramp door, thus allowing the vessel to perform quicker turnarounds.

The ferry also has desalination equipment and space for eighteen 25-pax life rafts.

Santa Editha has already commenced operations under MSLI's Montenegro Lines brand. Like sister vessel Santa Brigida, it is serving the company's route that covers the 21 nautical miles between the provinces of Batangas and Oriental Mindoro.

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