Manila: One of the Philippines’ most notorious shipping lines can now only transport cargo. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) of the Philippines has ruled that the Sulpicio Lines, which is now registered and operating as Philippine Span Asia, can no longer carry passengers. The news comes six and a half years after one of its ships, Princess of the Stars, sank near the coast of Sibuyan island leaving hundreds dead.
Marina has now finally cancelled Philippine Span Asia’s certificate of public convenience (CPC) for the carriage of persons.
Philippine Span Asia’s 13 current ships and any addition to its fleet in the future are now limited to cargo operations.
The Supreme Court Second Division has yet to release its final decision on whether to reinstate a criminal case against Sulpicio executive Edgar Go over the Princess of the Stars’ 2008 sinking.
