Lite Shipping Corporation

Lite Shipping Corporation, is a Cebu-based shipping line,^[1] that operates the Lite Ferries, a brand consisting of a fleet of 28 ships. The corporation has its origins from Bohol, and is the flagship company of Lite Holdings, Inc.^[2] At present, the corporation also owns and manages Danilo Lines, Inc. and Sunline Shipping Corporation.

Lite Shipping Corporation - Lite Ferries

Company type	Private company
Industry	Ferry Services
Founded	1989; 36 years ago (1989)
Founder	Lucio E. Lim Jr.
Headquarters	14 G.L Lavilles Street, Corner M.J Cuenco, Tinago, Cebu City , Philippines
Area served	Visayas, Northern Mindanao
Key people	Lucio E. Lim Jr. (President & CEO)
Parent	Lite Holdings, Inc.
Website	www.liteferries.com.ph

History

The company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Lirio Enterprises, Inc., a general trading firm doing business nationwide. It started as a shipping division of the mother company in the middle of 1988 when it bought two vessels - the MV Sto. Niño de Soledad, a 500-ton DWT capacity steel-hulled vessel and the MV Sto. Niño, a wooden hull 200-ton capacity vessel. Initially, the cargo loaded was mostly goods traded by Lirio Enterprises, Inc. like salt, rice, cement, fertilizers, sugar, etc.^[3] Sometimes they would accept other cargoes for backload when the occasion demands it. This shipping division was spun off as a separate shipping corporation in July 1989 when the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission approved the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of Lite Shipping Corporation.^[4]

The Lite Shipping Corporation fleet then consisted of 15 roll-on/roll-off vessels, 12 passenger vessels and 3 cargo ships. In November 1991, the corporation acquired its third vessel, the MV St. Gabriel, a steel-hulled 30-ton capacity cargo boat due to the strong demand for the smaller cargo vessel in the trading operation of the mother company. In January 1992, the company expanded into the cargo/passenger shipping business with the purchase of a 175 gross-ton roro car/truck carrier from the U.S. Navy, the LCT St. Mark. It has a capacity of four ten-wheeler cargo trucks, five cars and 50 to 70 passengers. It is the franchise holder for the Argao, Cebu to Loon, Bohol route as a daily car/truck ferry.

In November 2019 Lite Shipping Corporation bought the now-defunct George and Peter Lines it took over their routes and acquiring its vessels

Lite Shipping Corporation to Lite Ferries

In 2010, the Lite Shipping Corporation launched a new corporate brand name, along with a more contemporary and dynamic company logo, for all its vessels, now known as the Lite Ferries.

Lite Holdings, Inc.

Lite Holdings, Inc. was formed as a Holding Company with the following corporations under its umbrella:

1. Lite Shipping Corporation also owns and manages Danilo Lines, Inc. and Sunline Shipping Corporation. The management team is headed by COO Engr. Fernando A. Inting and OIC Jonathan Lim-Imboy;
2. Cebu Lite Trading, Inc. was established in 1991 as a distributor of local cement brands and is also engaged in the importation of rice from Vietnam and Thailand as well as a major cement importer. The OIC for Cebu Lite Trading is Rowena Imboy-Lim.
3. Lirio Shipping Lines, Inc. started only recently, and is led by Raymund Lim-Revilles as the OIC and he has steered the company into a major provider of LCT barges for the Mining Industry. They are also into Ship Management.
4. Lite Properties Corporation is the latest venture of Lite Holdings Group and is engaged in real estate development particularly economic and low cost housing as well as strip mall development in Cebu and in Bohol. OIC for Lite Properties is Atty. Dominique D. Lim and ably assisted by Rochelle Brigitte Lim-Imboy.
5. Lou's Square Development Corporation operates the hotel and restaurant business of Soledad Suites in Tagbilaran City as well as Casa Filomena Resort in Panglao and Pamilacan Island Paradise, all in Bohol where the Lim Family traces their roots.

Fleet

Current Vessels

As of December 2024, Lite Ferries has a total of 29 passenger and cargo ferries and 2 Cargo RORO LCTs (LF 26 and LF 28).

Name	IMO	Notes	Image
Lite Ferry 1[5]	IMO number: 7005530	She was the M/V Danilo 1 of Danilo Lines, Inc., before the company was acquired by Lite Shipping Corporation.
Lite Ferry 2		A sister ship of the M/V Lite Ferry 1, she was the M/V Danilo 2 of Danilo Lines, Inc., before the company was acquired by Lite Shipping Corporation.
Lite Ferry Three	IMO number: 7212896	She was the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Cebu Ferries) and GP Ferry-2 of the now-defunct George and Peter Lines that was bought by Lite Ferries. She is the replacement of the old Lite Ferry 3.
Lite Ferry Five	IMO number: 9873321	A brand new ship made in China.
Lite Ferry Six	IMO number: 9970088	Acquired by Lite Ferries in 2023, sister ship of M/V Lite Ferry Seven
Lite Ferry Seven[6]	IMO number: 9970090	The current Lite Ferry Seven has a length overall of 72 meters a breadth of 18.60 meters and a depth of 4.5 meters The vessel has a GRT of 2,450 tons that can accommodate 300 passengers, 18 ten-wheeler trucks and 10 cars it is an IACS-classed vessel under RINA of Italy.
Lite Ferry 8	IMO number: 7323205	The company's flagship, she is 75 meters long, and can carry almost 800 passengers and 18 trucks or buses. She was acquired in 2007 as the GP Ferry-1 of George & Peter Lines, formerly the M/V Santa Maria of Negros Navigation
Lite Ferry Nine	IMO number: 9886299	A new ship made in China.
Lite Ferry Ten	IMO number: 1086465	A new vessel launched in China on November 10, 2024 and is the sister ship of M/V Lite Ferry Twelve.
Lite Ferry 11[7]	IMO number: 8618499	She was acquired by Lite Ferries along with 3 other vessels in 2010, as the Misaki No.5 of Oishi Shipping in Japan, measuring 65.7 meters by 15 meters by 3.5 meters but with a Gross Tonnage of 462.
Lite Ferry Twelve	IMO number: 1086477	A brand new vessel launched in China on November 10, 2024 and is the sister ship of M/V Lite Ferry Ten.
Lite Ferry 15	IMO number: 7853286	She was also acquired in 2010 from Japan, and measures 60.3 meters length, 11.4 meters beam and a Gross Tonnage of 827 with a Net Tonnage of 562
Lite Ferry 16		She was acquired in 2015 from Hainan Strait Shipping Company (HNSS) in China, and became a modified LCT with a car ramp at the bow and two partial decks of passenger accommodations below the bridge where one extends to near amidship which means the passenger area is far higher than the conventional LCT. She is under refitting with changing its structure.
Lite Ferry 17		Arrived in 2016 together with her sister ship from China, she was formerly known as Bao Dao 5.
Lite Ferry 18	IMO number: 8773885	Acquired in 2016 from China, a sister ship of Lite Ferry 17, and was formerly known as Bao Dao 6
Lite Ferry 19	IMO number: 8773897	She was acquired in 2016 from Hainan Strait Shipping Company (HNSS) in China, and she is a sister ship of Lite Ferry 16.
Lite Ferry 21	IMO number: 8426004	Acquired in 2012 as the LCT Dona Trinidad 1 of Candano Shipping Lines in Bicol.
Lite Ferry 22	IMO number: 8944941	Acquired in 2008 as the former LCT Socor 1 of Socor Shipping Lines, she was named LCT Sto. Nino de Bohol.
Lite Ferry 23		She was the fourth vessel acquired in 2010, and is considered unique being a catamaran RORO that looks like an LCT from the side. She is 57.5 meters long, and 16.0 meters wide, with gross tonnage of 496.88.
Lite Ferry 25	IMO number: 9645528	She was acquired in 2012 from China, measuring 49.3 meters long and 13.8 meters wide.
Lite Ferry 26[8]		She was bought from China in 2015, formerly known as the Diomicka.
Lite Ferry 27		She was bought brand new from China in 2015, measuring 62.18 meters long and 16.8 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 898.65.
Lite Ferry 28		She was bought from China in 2015 along with LF 26, and was formerly known as the Maria Dulce.
Lite Ferry 29[9]	IMO number: 9814296	She is an LCT brought a brand new from China.
Lite Ferry 30[10]	IMO number: 9814301	An LCT (Land Craft Transport) Vessel, with IMO # 9814301, an overall length of 71.40 meters, length between perpendiculars of 56.50 meters, breadth of 16.80 meters, depth of 4.20 meters, and draft of 2.50 meters. She has 2 passenger decks, with a maximum capacity of 387 passengers (both lying and sitting accommodations). She can also accommodate a total of 4 10-wheeler trucks or 18 cars on her wagon/cargo deck.
Lite Cat 1	IMO number: 9755529	Formerly Lite Ferry 88, Lite Cat 1 it is the company's first fast catamaran vessel. She is currently serving the Cebu to Tubigon and vice versa route.
Lite Cat 2	IMO number: 9885609	This RORO Catamaran vessel is built by PT Karimun located in Batam, Indonesia. The M/V Lite Cat 2 is an IACS-classed vessel registered under the Lloyd's Register of London. She has a length overall of 71.40 meters and a breadth of 20.00 meters. The vessel is powered by 4 units of Yanmar Marine Diesel Engines. The M/V Lite Cat 2 is currently serving the Cebu to Tubigon and vice versa route.

Former Vessels

Name	IMO	Notes	Image
Georich	IMO number: 5246269	This Vessel is one of the oldest ferries in the country at 59 years old She is a cruiser that has 694 GT. This Vessel is from the now-defunct George & Peter Lines
Lite Ferry 10[11]	IMO number: 8618695	There were 2 vessels to be named such. The first one was a double-ended ferry, measuring 46.0 meters by 10.0 meters by 3.8 meters with a Net Tonnage of 165. She had a sister ship, the Lite Ferry 9, which was later sold by the company. LF 10 was then sold to Medallion Transport in 2011 where she became the Lady of Miraculous Medal. The second and present Lite Ferry 10 was the former Ocean King I of Seamarine Transport Incorporated, first acquired as a charter then later bought by the company.
Lite Ferry 12	IMO number: 8405244	She was acquired in 2010 from Japan, and measures 41.6 meters, a breadth of 9.6 meters, a depth of 5.6 meters and a Gross Tonnage of 249. She was sold to Aleson Shipping Lines.
Lite Jet 1		Sold to Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc., renamed Ocean Jet 11
Lite Jet 8		Built in China, she was known as Aquan Two in Hongkong, then Nonan 2 in Vietnam, before being acquired by the company. She was later sold to Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc., then renamed as Ocean Jet 12.
Lite Jet 9		Built in China, she was known as Aquan One in Hongkong, then Nonan 1 in Vietnam, before being acquired together with Lite Jet 8. She was later sold to Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc., where she was renamed Ocean Jet 10.
Lite Ferry 5		She was acquired in 2005, as the former Daishin Maru. Her dimensions were only 42.6 meters by 11.5 meters by 3.0 meters and forward part of the car deck has to be converted in Tourist accommodation to increase her passenger capacity. She was re-engined, and was later sold to a company in Palawan in 2017.
Lite Ferry 20		Formerly LCT St. Mark, She's now renamed as LCT SAN RICARDO of San Ricardo Shipping Lines serving Lipata - San Ricardo
Lite Ferry 3		She was acquired in 2006 as the former Noumi No.8 in Japan, later becoming the second Santiago de Bohol in the Lite Ferries fleet. She was the smallest vessel in the fleet. On September 28, 2021, she capsized in the vicinity of Ormoc leading all crew survived and one lady died cause of the sinking is by listing badly. She was retrieved from Ormoc City Port and was brought back to Cebu City for refitting and renovations. On August 31, She was back with a new name and under a new company, she was renamed to M/V Blessed San Ricardo of ALD Sea Transport.

Ports of call and routes

Ports of call

Lite Ferries' main port of call is at the Port of Cebu City. Other ports of call are:

• Pulauan, Dapitan
• Dipolog
• Larena, Siquijor
• Mandaue
• Ormoc
• Naval, Biliran
• Plaridel, Misamis Occidental
• Samboan
• Oslob, Cebu
• San Carlos, Negros Occidental
• Sibulan, Negros Oriental
• Tagbilaran
• Toledo, Cebu
• Cagayan de Oro
• Jagna, Bohol
• Tubigon, Bohol
• Dumaguete
• Nasipit, Agusan del Norte
• Bogo, Cebu
• Calbayog
• Lipata, Surigao del Norte
• San Juan, Southern Leyte
• Matnog, Sorsogon
• Daanbantayan, Cebu
• San Juan, Batangas (soon)
• Caticlan, Aklan (soon)
• Ajuy, Iloilo (soon)
• Concepcion, Iloilo (soon)
• Manapla, Negros Occidental (soon)

Routes

At present, these are the routes (and vice versa) served by Lite Ferries:

• Cebu - Cagayan de Oro
• Cebu - Calbayog (via Bogo)
• Cebu - Dapitan
• Cebu - Naval, Biliran Province
• Cebu - Ormoc
• Cebu - Larena (via Tagbilaran)
• Cebu - Plaridel (via Tagbilaran and Larena)
• Cebu - Tagbilaran
• Cebu - Tubigon
• Toledo - San Carlos
• Mandaue - Tubigon
• Mandaue - Ormoc
• Tagbilaran - Larena
• Tagbilaran - Argao
• Tagbilaran - Plaridel
• Samboan - Dapitan
• Bato (Samboan, Cebu) - Sibulan
• Jagna - Cagayan de Oro
• Jagna - Nasipit
• Plaridel - Larena
• Oslob, Cebu - Dipolog
• Oslob, Cebu - Dumaguete - Dipolog/Dapitan
• Dumaguete - Cagayan de Oro
• Lipata - Cabalian
• Lipata - Liloan
• Bogo - Matnog, Sorsogon
• Daanbantayan, Cebu - Matnog, Sorsogon
• San Juan, Batangas - Caticlan (soon)
• Ajuy - Manapla (soon)
• Concepcion - Manapla (soon)

Incidents and accidents

• On August 28, 2019, M/V Lite Ferry 16 caught fire near the engine room at Tag-ulo Point, about 3 kilometers off Pulauan Port in Dapitan with at least 4 passengers dead.^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]}
• On December 16, 2021, M/V Lite Ferry 10 capsized in the vicinity of Loon, Bohol caused by the strong winds of Typhoon Odette, the captain died but all crew members survived.
• On September 28, 2021, M/V Lite Ferry 3 capsized in the vicinity of Ormoc. All crew survived but one lady died.
• On October 29, 2022, M/V Lite Ferry 1 ran aground in Port of Jagna due to the strong winds of Typhoon Paeng. All crew and passengers are safe.
• On December 16, 2021, M/V Lite Ferry 18 capsized in the vicinity of Balamban, Cebu Shipyard by leading a strong winds of Typhoon Rai, all crew are safe.
• On April 19, 2025, M/V Lite Ferry Five ran aground in shallow waters near Jagna Port, Bohol while maneuvering to depart for Cagayan de Oro. Fortunately, all 506 passengers and an unspecified amount of crew were reported safe, with no injuries. The incident occurred approximately 200 meters from the port. All passengers were rescued in a joint effort by the Philippine Coast Guard and local responders. Initial inspections indicate no major hull damage.

Sister companies

These are the shipping companies of Lite Shipping:^[18]

• Danilo Lines, Incorporated
• Sunline Shipping Corporation
• Lirio Shipping Lines, Incorporated^[19]
• FAL Shipping Corporation
• Cebu Lite Trading, Inc.
• Manila Heavy Equipment Corporation^[20]
• Soledad Suites^[21]
• Brewpoint Coffee Club
• Casa Felomina
• Pamilacan Island Paradise^[22]
• Bohol Yacht Club, Inc.
• Bohol Community Cable TV Systems, Inc.
• Bohol Pensioners Financing Corporation
• Next Models Management Inc.
• Lite Properties Corporation