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The Maritime Industry Authority further reduced to 10% from 20% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose
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The order is consistent with the fuel price adjustment per the latest Department of Energy Oil Monitor Advisories, according to MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-35 dated July 2
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This is the fourth time MARINA had adjusted the maximum allowable increase in rates since the oil crunch in March
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The transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities last May reverted to freight rates as of February 28, 2026 before the fuel crisis that resulted from the Middle East conflict
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) further reduced to 10% from 20% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose.
The order is consistent with the fuel price adjustment per the latest Department of Energy Oil Monitor Advisories, according to MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-35 dated July 2.
“The maximum 10% should be based on the published rate indicated in the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of the domestic shipping companies and operators as of 28 February 2026,” MA No. 2026-35 said.
This is the fourth time MARINA had adjusted the maximum allowable increase in rates since the oil crunch in March.
It first set it to 30% through MA No. 2026-15 in March. The authority then raised it to 40% through MA No. 2026-17 in April, lowered it to 30% through MA No. 2026-23 in May, and then further rolled down to 20% through MA No. 2026-33 in June.
READ: Local carriers may adjust rates, routes schedules to address fuel price surge
The transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities, meanwhile, had last May reverted to freight rates as of February 28, 2026 before the fuel crisis that resulted from the Middle East conflict. Prior to this, MARINA had put a 20% limit for rate adjustment for agricultural products.
The setting of maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates is part of the maritime authority’s supplemental contingency measures to address the impact of the Middle East conflict on the maritime industry.
Under MA No. 2026-15, should global fuel prices decrease, operators are mandated to implement a corresponding downward rate adjustment.
Similar to increases, the price decrease must be posted or published and will take effect three calendar days following the notification.
MARINA earlier said it will conduct regular monitoring of freight and passage rates to ensure compliance.
Passenger and cargo rates in the domestic shipping industry have been deregulated since 2004 through Republic Act No. 9295 (Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004), but the law allows MARINA to intervene in order to protect public interest.
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