The catamaran V2V Empress has officially commenced operations this Monday, embarking on its inaugural journey along the maritime route connecting Nueva Gerona and Batabanó. The voyage is expected to take approximately three hours.
According to a Facebook post by the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the vessel arrived in Cuba last Saturday. Its primary mission is to enhance maritime transportation between the Isle of Youth, Batabanó, and Cayo Largo del Sur, a critical link for both passenger and cargo transport in the country's western region.
Rodríguez Dávila detailed that the V2V Empress is scheduled to operate on a regular basis six days a week across its primary routes. This service is intended to cater to residents, workers, and tourists traveling between these locations.
The introduction of this catamaran aims to ensure mobility while the Perseverancia ferry undergoes scheduled maintenance. Additionally, recovery efforts are underway for the catamaran Río Las Casas, both of which are expected to return to service by the end of the year.
Launching this new maritime service seeks to mitigate the longstanding transportation challenges faced by the Isle of Youth, particularly during maintenance periods or breakdowns of the main vessels. The Ministry of Transport anticipates that the V2V Empress will help stabilize operations as the fleet modernization process continues.
The activation of the catamaran also marks a critical step towards bolstering internal connectivity and improving the quality of maritime transport, amid a backdrop of deteriorating infrastructure and resource shortages that have complicated regular inter-island travel.
Previously, Rodríguez had announced that the V2V Empress has a capacity of 240 passengers and was set to begin service on Monday. He noted on social media that this new ship would temporarily replace the Perseverancia ferry, which is entering an extended maintenance phase after decades of service. Its final two voyages are scheduled for October 1 and 3 before the repair work begins.
The minister highlighted that tickets for the V2V Empress can be purchased up to 15 days in advance, priced at 200 CUP. The Isle of Youth frequently experiences challenges in its already fragile maritime transportation system, following repeated suspension announcements of the Perseverancia ferry, the sole and heavily-utilized vessel connecting this special municipality with the Surgidero of Batabanó in Mayabeque.
In August 2024, officials from the Maritime-Port Business Group (Gemar) explained that the catamarans Río Júcaro and Río Las Casas, which have been in service for over 20 years, are currently out of operation due to severe deterioration and a shortage of necessary parts and materials for their upkeep.
This situation has led to dissatisfaction among the residents of the special municipality, who heavily rely on this mode of transport. They have voiced their frustration over what they perceive as the progressive isolation of their territory.
Key Details about the V2V Empress Catamaran Service
What is the capacity of the V2V Empress catamaran?
The V2V Empress catamaran has a capacity of 240 passengers.
How often does the V2V Empress operate its routes?
The V2V Empress is scheduled to operate six days a week on its main routes.
Why is the V2V Empress replacing the Perseverancia ferry?
The V2V Empress is temporarily replacing the Perseverancia ferry, which is undergoing extended maintenance after many years of service.
What are the ticket prices for the V2V Empress?
Tickets for the V2V Empress are available for 200 CUP and can be purchased up to 15 days in advance.