Muelle Loney in Iloilo - Philippines

The name Muelle Loney refers to the river wharf of Iloilo and the street that is located on western part of the river. It is being utilized today as port for inter-island vessels like RORO or Roll-on Roll-off and ferries traveling the Iloilo to Bacolod route. Thousands of travelers traverse the Muelle Loney on a daily basis. Unknown to most travelers is Muelle Loneys rich past and its main role in the growth of the sugar industry of the Visayas during the 1800s until the early 1900s.

In the early 1700s until the early 1800s, there was an existing scale weaving industry in the province, some even refer to the province as the Textile Capital of the Philippines during those days. The River Wharf of Iloilo was then enhanced to export textile to Manila. The river wharf became a favored port among exporters because it has a natural protection from strong winds and storms because of the Island of Guimaras.

Although there were sugar plantations in this provinces as well as Negros Occidental during the 1700s, it was not until the debut of the Iloilo Port to global trade in 1855 and the arrival of Nicholas Loney, a year later, that the sugar plantation industry of Iloilo grew to unprecedented levels. Through Loneys group of Loney and Ker Corporation, he was able to push the sugar trade in the provinces of Negros and Panay by buying modern machinery from Europe and leading the way for sugar planters to acquire crop loans.

Growing development and dealing activities in the port, spread all over Iloilo Strait, made Iloilo a main port and it was changed into a business seaport. It was during that period that the area was given the title of Queen City of the South, for being the most progressive province in the Philippines aside from the capital, Manila. Because of Nicholas Loneys immense contribution to the development of Iloilo, the river wharf was named after him. Loney is considered to be one of the benefactors of the Sugar Industry of the Philippines. A statue of Loney stands in the Muelle Loney Street.

Fast ships managed by the Weesam and Bullet Express and Royal and Philippine Fast Ferry travel the connection between the province of Iloilo and Bacolod City everyday. Fast ships and Roll-on, Roll-Off ships traveling the Iloilo City-Bacolod way at the Muelle Loney:

Bullet Express-the companys office is located on Domescon Establishment, Muelle Loney Street., Iloilo City with telephone numbers (+63) (033)3380618/ (+63) (033)3380619/ (+63) (033)3380620.

Weesam- Weesams Office in Iloilo is located on Muelle Loney Street, with telephone numbers (+63) (033)3351572/ (+63) (033)3373282.

Montenegro Shipping (Roll-On, Roll-Off vessels)-the companys office in Iloilo City is located on Muelle Loney Street., Iloilo City with telephone numbers (+63)(034)7081322.