Shipping motorbike from Indonesia to the Philippines
 

Hi guys

I'm currently touring se-asia on my BMW 650 Dakar. I'm in Thailand right now. My plan is to go until the Philippines. I intend to arrive there coming may. Does anyone has experiences with shipping a motorbike from Indonesia to the Philippines? I haven't found any information yet about a ferry connecting those two countries. I'd like to cross by ship/vessel. Probably the best options are from Sulawesi what I found out so far. I need to arrive in Cebu-City due to the fact that you have to leave the country at the same port where you entered the country (if this information is correct). Cebu-City has an international airport and I intend to fly back to Switzerland from there.
So is there any possibilty to cross the sea by ship or will I really have to take an airplane from Jakarta to Manila? I hope not...

Another big question is the handling of the customs. Has anyone been recently there and has reliable informations about the customs in the Philippines? I read different older stories and evey single one sounds different. So what is the status nowadays?

Any information is highly appreciated. Thanks a lot. Ride safe and enjoy your trips, where ever you are at the moment...

Cheers
Thierry

Btw, my rtw-trip can be followed on my website: Home

I think someone, not too long ago, mentioned the possibility of a ferry from somewhere on the island of Borneo (sorry can´t remember from where exactly), to Palawan, Philippines.

As they are both big island nations, with a lot of sea traffic, I wouldn´t be too surprised if there were actually some boat connections between them. But solid information about basically anything that floats – even from some internal lines operating in Indonesia – seemed almost impossible to get, unless you personally went to the harbour to ask!! And the situation is ever-changing, too, as some lines are shut down, while others emerge. But if you´re feeling adventurous, and are not short on time, I think you might have a chance to succeed. Sorry I don´t have any idea about whether the customs in Philippines would then give you trouble or not.

Shipping is a pain, so please do update here, whether or not you are able to find a suitable connection. Unless you want to fly, it does seem like a bit of a ´blank spot´ on the traveller map! I for one would like to go and explore that region some time.

Oh yeah, and this brings to mind – check out also this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ines-etc-58337

Hi pecha72, thanks for your reply. It really seems to be a blank spot on travelleres map. You sent the only reply so far. Hopefully there are more to come.
In case I'll make it by ship I will post the experiences here. That will be a kind of adventure...! If not possible (I cannot imagine it) by ship I will have to fly from Jakarta to Manila or Cebu City. I'll see...

Thanks again and cheers to you
Thierry

Have you searched HUBB yet? I remember at least two topics from people who have crossed. One couple have become friends of ours and they took a ferry from Zamboanga to Sandakan (Borneo).

Hi Thierry, little unclear about where in Indonesia you wish to ship from, but if it helps, I used PT. Yamindo Majulestari to ship from Jakarta in September this year to Norway. They were the cheapest of 3 quotes and their service was excellent. Obviously they can ship anywhere. Email Trie on <trie.ismawarni@yamindo.com>
I am sure the will be able to help with shipping if from Jakarta but don't know about your personnal transfer.

Good travels

Chris

@ Beddhist: Yes I searched the HUBB but couldn't find usefull informations or it was far too old as the sitauation always changes (waht I learned). Zamboanga is in the south region of the Philippines and for foreigner quite risky to go. And obviously you have to leave the Philippines at the same port where you entered. As I want to fly back to Switzerland from the Philippines I should arrive in Cebu City as they have an international airport. But nothing is sure for the moment. Still making researches... Thanks for the post!

@ Chris: My plan is to do island hopping towards east and then cross the sea. So it would be quite annoying having to go back to Jakarta. I think the best place to cross would be Sulawesi. That's my goal to cross from there. I will write an email to this adress and will see what happens. Thanks for the post.

Cheers
Thierry

Hey Thierry
 

I know you reached the phillipines already and it would be awesome if you have a free minute to post your experiences. Thanks in advance and enjoy your holidays...

Cheers
Bernhard

Brunei to Philippines
 

I Live in Medan now and plan to ferry from Surabaya to Balikpappan then circumnavigate Kalimantan Borneo Brunei there I believe is a ferry or RORO to Pallawan in the Philippines but not confirmed as yet has anyone else done this yet?

I have done a bit of research on this earlier on - and at that stage it used to be a ferry from Sandakan in malaysian Borneo to Zamboanga on Mindanano in The Philippines. I also know there was a spanish rider named Miguel Silvestre who took his bike over to the Philippines using that ferry some years back in time. He filmed it an put it on Youtube so if you search there you might find it.
But the ship going nowadays seem to be a passenger ferry only so I dont know if they can take a big bike over.

Thanks Snakeboy I checked out Miguel's Youtube very entertaining but not much about the Ship trip and he seemed to bypass Customs on entry completely, as was later shown when it came time to leave from Manila he had not processed through Customs on entering.:oops2: So it would be interesting to find out their procedure, from what I heard they literally take a deposit on entry then refund on departure, however from the same port which kills my idea of continuing further north. I will keep researching though once again thanks

No it wasnt much about paperwork on Miguels videos. But I belive that wasnt of your initial questions either.

There still seems to be a ferry service between Sandakan in malaysian Borneo to the city Zamboanga in Mindanao in The Philippines. But Inhave never heard about a ferry service from Borneo to Palawan.

From Tripadvisors forums I have found this information:

«Ferry from Sandakan to Zamboanga every Tuesday at 5pm. It takes 16h. And costs RM 280 (Budget), RM 310 (A/Cond), RM 340 (Cabin), RM 370 (Suit).

Contact in Sandakan: 089-216996»

This was from earlier this year and it seems that they also take «small motorbikes» on the ferry. Company is Aleson Shipping Line.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowTo...ion_Sabah.html

Hi Thierry and all.
As I live in Mindanao (and before in Palawan too) I'am well informed of the ferries conecting our iland to Malaysia and Indonesia. I'am quite sure there's not a a ferry that goes to Cebu. Unluckly you have only one real,doable and legal but risky option.
Sabah to Palawan. No ferry lines. Ilegal crossing.
Sulawesi to Mindanao. Weekly ro-ro boat from Bitung to Gensan-Davao only takes cargo and no paying passengers but the trucks drivers travel on it. I'am unsure but might be possible to pay for the motorcycle as cargo and travel along. The philippine company is Super Shuttle Ferry ( google).
Sabah to Mindanao. Sandakan to Zamboanga.A weekly cargo and passenger boat that can take a bike. Besides Miguel Silvestre a friend of mine did it years ago. The problem is since two years ago have been quite a few cases of boarding by pirates (Abu Sayaff)of barges and boats in those waters. Never happen to that boat but a bit risky. The company is Aleson Shipping.The roads from Zamboanga into Mindanao have also safety concerns.
Don't know about the customs procedures.
Sorry not to be of more help