OLD SHIPPING OFFICE

The hollow and dilapidated structure along Plaza Independencia in SRP, Cebu City, is now commonly known as the old Compania Maritima building.

The land where this empty edifice now stands, was then a subject of ownership debate between the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) and the Cebu City government.

The building, built in 1910, was formerly known as the Fernandez building, later occupied by Shamrock Hotel during the pre-war years but its internal composition and roof was reportedly destroyed during the liberation of Cebu City in 1945.

It was repaired after the liberation and was made the main office of Compania Maritima, reportedly one of the biggest shipping lines in the city, that unfortunately went into bankruptcy in the 1980s.

Currently, the CPA throws a land swap deal with the City government, asking for the land in Compania Maritima in exchange for a land located in North Reclamation Area, near SM and Cebu International Port (CIP).

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama plans to convert the abandoned shipping house into a maritime museum to boost the City’s tourism.

Photo by MetroCebu News Team