Negros Navigation

Formerly	NENACO
Company type	Subsidiary
Founded	June 26, 1932; 91 years ago (1932-06-26)
Defunct	2012; 12 years ago (2012)
Fate	Merged with Aboitiz SuperFerry to form 2GO Travel
Successor	2GO Travel
Headquarters	Philippines
Area served	Philippines
Parent	2GO Group
Website	negrosnavigation.ph

Negros Navigation Co., Inc. (NENACO) was one of the oldest domestic shipping companies in the Philippines.^[1] It was also one of the largest companies in the passenger transport business in the Philippines.^[2] Its main hub was the renowned Pier 2 in Manila North Harbor. NENACO later merged with SuperCat, SuperFerry and Cebu Ferries to form 2GO Travel, the second largest Philippine shipping merger next to the William Lines-Gothong Lines-Aboitiz Shipping merger (WG&A) in 1996. At the same time, the China-Asean Investment Cooperation Fund, a private equity fund wholly owned by the government of the People's Republic of China through an equity infusion, gained a controlling interest in Negros Navigation and subsequently changed the company into the 2GO Group with 2GO Travel, its shipping-company subsidiary.

History

It was organized and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 26, 1932, for the purpose of transporting passengers and cargo at ports of call in the Philippines.

In the 1960s Nenaco was the first among the domestic shipping companies to operate brand new, fast and luxurious air conditioned passenger ships. In the 70s, it was first to construct and operate a modern passenger terminal in Manila's North Harbor and likewise pioneered in offering special cruises to the Philippine tourist spots using its coastwise vessels. In the 1980s Nenaco launched its containerization program and ushered a new industry trend on the use of roll-on roll-off (“RORO”) vessels. It also deploys shuttle buses in Baclaran, Cubao and Alabang which takes passengers to the pier terminal.^[3]

In the 1990s, Nenaco became the first Philippine shipping company to be listed in the stock exchange. Proceeds amounting to P916.86 million from the initial public offering (IPO) were used to support the “Globalization Program” of the company that involved fleet expansion and service modernization.

Destinations

Negros Navigation served the following destinations in their final year, 2012.

Represented 2GO Travel

• Luzon
  • Manila
• Visayas
  • Bacolod
  • Dumaguete
  • Iloilo City
  • Cebu City
  • Tagbilaran City, Bohol
• Mindanao
  • Cagayan de Oro
  • Dipolog
  • Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
  • Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental
  • Butuan (via Nasipit)
  • Surigao City
  • Davao City
  • General Santos

Vessels

• M/V St. Michael the Archangel - The former flagship of Negros Navigation and was considered the largest among its fleet; was acquired and is currently active under 2GO Travel
• M/V St. Joseph the Worker - Former fleet of Negros Navigation acquired by 2GO Travel; was retired and sold to breakers
• M/V St. Peter the Apostle - Former fleet of Negros Navigation acquired by 2GO Travel; was retired and sold to breakers
• M/V St. Ezekiel Moreno (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V St. Francis of Assisi (Caught fire in 1999; later sold to breakers)
• M/V Mary, Queen of Peace (Retired and sold to Indian breakers, 2008)
• M/V San Lorenzo Ruiz (Retired and sold to Indian breakers, 2008)
• M/V San Paolo (Sold to breakers)
• Container Ship San Sebastian (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/S Santa Florentina (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/S Santa Maria (Sold to George and Peter Lines Renamed to M/V GP Ferry 2, Later sold to Lite Ferries and renamed to Lite Ferry 3)
• M/S Princess of Panay (Sold to breakers)
• M/S Princess of Negros (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Connie I (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Connie II (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Don Julio (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Don Claudio (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Don Juan (Former Negros Navigation fleet; sank in 1980)
• M/V Don Vicente (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Doña Monserrat (Retired and sold to breakers)
• M/V Doña Florentina (Retired and sold to breakers)
• St. Raphael (Became SuperCat 11 and was later sold overseas)
• St. Gabriel (Became SuperCat 12 and was sold overseas)
• Angel of Hope
• Angel of Freedom

Incidents

On April 22, 1980, MV Don Juan, which was bound for Bacolod City, sank 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Maestre de Campo Island, Romblon after colliding with the oil tanker M/T Tacloban City. Reported casualties were 18 dead and 115 missing, with 745 survivors.^[4][5][6] This incident later served as an inspiration for the grandiose MassKara Festival of Bacolod.