Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Freight and passenger operator 2GO is expanding its fleet as it expects sea travel to flourish this year.

The company launched the MV Masigla on Friday, its newest roll-on roll-off passenger vessel set to travel to tourist destinations and trade routes including Iloilo, Bacolod, and Cagayan.

The renovated vessel from Japan currently has a passenger load of 400 passengers but the company is looking to make more developments to almost double its carrying capacity to 700 passengers.

 One of the luxury rooms in 2GO's new interisland vessel MVMasigla. Lady Vicencio, ABS-CBN News

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos is given a ship captain's hat as a token for being the guest of honor during the Launch of 2GO’s newest vessel MV Masigla at Pier 4, Manila North Port in Manila on April 26, 2024. Joining her at the launch are SM Investments Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson, SM Prime Chairman Hans T. Sy, and ICTSI CHairman and CEO Enrique Razon. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News The launch was attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

MV Masigla is 2GO’s fourth vessel in its transportation and logistics fleet. A fifth vessel is set to make its maiden voyage this year. 

Sea travel, particularly for leisure, is expected to boom this year, according to SM Investments Corp Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson. 2GO Group is part of SM Investments Corporation.

“People who want to travel leisurely, not on the bus, or not on the plane, they can always come here,” Sy-Coson said.

2GO Chief Financial Officer Will Howell expects the company to grow further with its investments in its fleet.

Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News“We’re actually quite bullish with 2GO that’s why you see the investments that we’ve made in the vessels. We’re very cautiously optimistic in 2024 but we feel that there is definitely room to grow, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao regions,” Howell said.