MANILA, Philippines — Domestic shipping fares and cargo rates are set to climb by as much as 30% after the Maritime Industry Authority raised the ceiling on fuel-related surcharges, citing soaring global oil prices driven by the Middle East crisis.
MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan signed Advisory No. 2026-15 on Monday, March 30, bumping the maximum allowable rate increase from the previous 20% to 30%. The new cap takes effect immediately.
The order covers all domestic shipping companies, shipowners, charterers and cargo operators nationwide. The 30% limit is pegged to the Required Rate Adjustment as of March 27, computed from the base rates in each operator’s Certificate of Public Convenience as of February 28.
The directive followed a March 23 meeting called by the Department of Transportation, which invoked MARINA’s intervention powers under Republic Act No. 9295 amid a declared national energy emergency.
Shipments of agricultural products and basic commodities, however, are shielded from the full increase. Those remain under the original 20% cap, a carve-out meant to cushion the cost of food and essential goods moving between islands.
Operators cannot raise rates without warning. Under the advisory, shipping firms must notify MARINA and the public at least three calendar days before any fare hike takes effect, either through a newspaper ad or by posting notices at ports, terminals, ticketing offices, vessels and their own websites or social media accounts. The same three-day rule applies when fuel prices fall — companies must pass the savings on and announce the rollback in advance.
MARINA warned that it will regularly monitor freight and passenger rates and said that operators caught charging beyond the cap will face administrative fines and sanctions.
— Cristina Chi