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Inter-island shipping operators have announced price adjustments for passenger, vehicle and cargo rates effective this month
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Companies cite fuel cost increase resulting from the Middle East crisis triggered by the US-Israel attack on Iran
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FastCat rate adjustments took effect March 6
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Starlite Ferries/Chelsea Logistics on March 10
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Montenegro Shipping on March 23
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2GO group has yet to make an annoucement
The country’s inter-island shipping operators have announced price adjustments for passenger, vehicle and cargo rates effective this month due to global fuel cost increase resulting from the Middle East crisis triggered by the US-Israel attack on Iran.
FastCat, operated by Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC), started implementing the adjusted rates on March 6.
“To maintain our high standards of vessel maintenance and passenger safety, we will be implementing an updated fare matrix for both passengers and vehicles effective as of March 06, 2026,” APFC said on its Facebook page.
“While we always strive to keep our services affordable, the recent 40% surge in global fuel costs—driven by the ongoing situation in the Middle East—has significantly impacted our operational expenses,” it added.
Starlite Ferries
Starlite Ferries, Inc., a part of the Chelsea group and tied to Chelsea Logistics, announced on Sunday a 25% increase in passenger and cargo rates starting March 10.
“The price of fuel has been steadily increasing since January of this year. On top of that there is an abrupt high spike of fuel price that was implemented during the first week of this month and an impending big-time price hikes in the coming weeks due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Starlite said. “To sustain our operations and continuously serve the riding public and shippers, We are left with no other option but to implement a partial passenger fare and cargo rates increase of Twenty Five Percent (25%) effective March 10, 2026.”
Montenegro Shipping
Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. also announced in a social media post that it will implement a vehicle and passenger fare adjustment starting March 23, also citing fuel prices.
In a notice to clients and passengers, the shipping company stated that the adjustment was necessary after fuel prices rose by nearly 40%, largely due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
“This adjustment is necessary due to the continuous increase in fuel prices, which have risen by almost 40% as of this date and continue increasing tremendously, brought about by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. This has greatly affected our operational costs,” the company said in a statement.
The revised tariffs apply to several inter-island routes served by the company, including those operating from Batangas Port.
READ: Local shipping lines allowed to adjust rates, route schedules
For 20-foot container trucks (prime mover-28), the new rates include:
- Batangas–Calapan City: P15,840
- Batangas–Abra de Ilog: P14,300
- Batangas–Puerto Galera: P14,212
- Batangas–Odiongan: P44,880
- Odiongan–Romblon: P21,120
For 40-foot container trucks (prime mover-38):
- Batangas–Calapan City: P27,360
- Batangas–Abra de Ilog: P24,700
- Batangas–Puerto Galera: P24,548
- Batangas–Odiongan: P77,520
- Odiongan–Romblon: P36,480
Meanwhile, heavy equipment rates (P1,300 per nautical mile) include:
- Batangas–Calapan City: P31,200
- Batangas–Abra de Ilog: P33,800
- Batangas–Puerto Galera: P22,100
- Batangas–Odiongan: P132,600
- Odiongan–Romblon: P41,600
The new pricing also covers routes under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, which connects several islands through roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping services.
For 20-foot trucks, updated rates include:
- Dumangas–Bacolod: P9,504
- Iloilo City–Cuyo: P54,208
- Cuyo–Puerto Princesa City: P80,828
- Iloilo City–Puerto Princesa City: P117,128
- Iloilo City–Guimaras: P4,950
- Dumaguete–Dapitan: P25,168
- Dumaguete–Siquijor: P8,008
For 40-foot trucks, the new rates are:
- Dumangas–Bacolod: P16,416
- Iloilo City–Cuyo: P93,632
- Cuyo–Puerto Princesa City: P139,612
- Iloilo City–Puerto Princesa City: P202,312
- Iloilo City–Guimaras: P9,120
- Dumaguete–Dapitan: P43,472
- Dumaguete–Siquijor: P13,832
Heavy equipment charges under the same network include:
- Dumangas–Bacolod: P20,800
- Iloilo City–Cuyo: P145,600
- Cuyo–Puerto Princesa City: P217,100
- Iloilo City–Puerto Princesa City: P314,600
- Iloilo City–Guimaras: P3,900
- Dumaguete–Dapitan: P57,200
- Dumaguete–Siquijor: P16,900
The company announced that additional rates for routes from Lucena, Oriental Mindoro, and Zamboanga ports can be found on its official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the 2GO group’s Travel (passenger) and Express (cargo) units have yet to announce adjustments on their rates.
