Marina Strips Span Asia Carrier of Its Licence

zoomMV Princess of the Stars The Philippines Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) ordered the cancellation and revocation of Span Asia Carriers licence to transport passengers. The company, formerly known as Sulpicio Lines Inc, has been ordered to limit the operation of all its 13 ships, and any additional vessel to its current fleet, to cargo transport, the Manila Times writes. The decision comes seven years after the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars, owned by the company, which took the toll of over 800 lives in 2008. Only 32 of 851 passengers and crew on board survived the sinking. In a 50-page decision, Marina fined Span Asia Carrier with P 800 for transporting dangerous cargoes without a permit on the day when the accident. However, the appeal against the officials and crew members of M/V Princess of the Stars was dismissed due to lack of evidence. World Maritime News Staff; Image: US Navy