Lite Shipping Ferry, Southwest Tours, Forge Partnerships for Inaugural Caticlan-Batangas Route

CATICLAN, Malay AKLAN – A new chapter in inter-island travel officially begins as Lite Shipping Ferry and Southwest Tours have entered into a strategic partnership for the inaugural operation of the Caticlan–Batangas and Batangas–Caticlan ferry service, providing travelers with a more convenient and seamless gateway between Luzon and the world-famous Boracay Island.

The partnership combines Lite Shipping Ferry’s modern roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) sea transport service with Southwest Tours’ extensive expertise in tourism and transport logistics, offering passengers a hassle-free travel experience from booking to arrival.

The launch of the direct sea route on August 7, 2026 is expected to strengthen connectivity between Southern Luzon and Western Visayas while boosting tourism, trade, and cargo movement. It also provides an alternative transport option for domestic tourists, overseas Filipinos, and businesses seeking reliable sea travel between Batangas and Caticlan.

Serafin Javelonw of Southwest told the Noracay Island News Neteotk that under the partnership, Southwest Tours will assist in passenger reservations, travel assistance, and destination transfers, ensuring that visitors bound for Boracay enjoy a smooth transition from the ferry terminal to the island’s tourism facilities.

Industry leaders believe the collaboration will contribute significantly to the continued growth of Boracay’s tourism industry by making travel more accessible, particularly for families, motorists, and cargo operators who prefer RoRo ferry services over air travel.

The new route also strengthens the country’s Western Nautical Highway network by improving mobility for passengers and commercial vehicles while enhancing economic opportunities for communities in Batangas, Aklan, and neighboring provinces.

Officials from Lite Shipping Ferry and Southwest Tours expressed optimism that the partnership will deliver safe, reliable, and customer-focused services while supporting the government’s efforts to improve domestic tourism and inter-island connectivity.

The inaugural voyage marks another milestone in Philippine maritime transportation, reinforcing Caticlan’s role as the primary gateway to Boracay and opening new opportunities for tourism, commerce, and regional development.