Chelsea Group’s new RoPax vessel, MV Trans-Asia 21 (TA 21), successfully completed its sea trials on April 13, 2021 conducted in Fukuoka, Japan. TA 21 measures 123 meters in length and has a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 8,800 tons. It can carry a total of 1,085 passengers, 24 buses and 11 trucks. This is so far, the biggest Brand New RoPax built and for delivery to the Philippines.
During its sea trials, MV Trans-Asia 21 easily reached its designed top speed of 20.1 knots and successfully hurdled all the necessary tests to ensure safe and efficient operation of the vessel. The ship was constructed at the Fukuoka Shipyard in Japan and internationally classified by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), one of the largest and most reputable ship classification agencies in the world. Upon its delivery in the second quarter of 2021, TA 21 will be Chelsea Group’s 12th and biggest brand-new RoPax made in Japan and designed specifically for operation in Philippine waters.
“MV Trans-Asia 21 was contracted for shipbuilding with a highly reputable Japanese shipyard several months prior to the onset of the pandemic, and is in partnership with one of the biggest private ship owners in Japan. The shipping industry might have been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic but we are convinced that this investment will be a meaningful revenue and profit contributor to the Group. The Philippines, being an archipelagic country, composed of 7,641 islands, is largely dependent on shipping to move people, goods, and services across the globe. We are certain that the shipping and logistics industry will recover faster because it is essential and a necessity in global trade,” said Chelsea Group’s President & CEO Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy.
TA 21 is the latest and another welcome addition to Chelsea’s fleet of 76 vessels, composed of 22 roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels, 10 fast crafts, 11 cargo ships, 16 tankers, 16 tugboats, and 1 floating dock, through its subsidiaries Chelsea Shipping Corp., Starlite Ferries, Inc., Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc., and The Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. TA 21 will be deployed at a prime route giving the Filipino public affordable and quality service they deserve on board a brand-new and safe ship.
