Philippines Suspends Ferry Operator’s Fleet After Deadly Sinking

Passengers rescued from the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off the coast of Isabela City, Basilan Province, on Jan. 26.

Photographer: Kagawad Gamar “Gams” Alih/AP

The Philippines indefinitely suspended the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, operator of a ferry that sank this week off the country’s southern coast which killed more than a dozen.

The move is part of the broader audit of the domestic shipping industry ahead of a planned overhaul of the Philippine maritime safety rules, according to Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.