Sibulan: The fast craft port in Sibulan, Negros Oriental sustained partial damage when a commercial roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessel lost control amid large waves and collided with the front section of the port.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, reported that M/V Geok Chong II of Maayo Shipping Lines was departing from its port on Monday afternoon to move to a different site when it was swept by powerful waves toward the fast craft port.

The barge was in the process of undocking to transfer to the nearby Tampi, Amlan town port due to the cancellation of trips from Sibulan caused by strong winds and large waves. Fortunately, the RoRo vessel did not have any passengers or cargo on board, only the crew. Additionally, no one was present at the port when the incident occurred.

The Philippine Ports Authority, Coast Guard, and the shipping lines are set to conduct a damage assessment. Maayo Shipping Lines has already filed a Marine Protest with the Maritime Industry Authority, with a copy provided to the Coast Guard.

In the meantime, sea travel from the Sibulan port has remained suspended since Monday afternoon. Although the Coast Guard has not issued a cancellation advisory, shipping lines using the Sibulan port route initiated the cancellation due to potentially hazardous conditions.